In the Austrian MotoGP last weekend, KTM had to settle for fifth place, following a double podium in its home round in 2023.
Expectations for KTM’s home race in 2024 were high after Brad Binder finished second in both the Sprint and Main Race of the 2023 Austrian MotoGP weekend.
This year, KTM also made an appearance at the Red Bull Ring after testing over the summer break at the Spielberg circuit with both Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro.
Even with the 2023 Bologna bike in the case of Marc Marquez, who started the race on 14th place and ended fourth, the RC16 eventually failed to keep up with the Ducati Demsosedici throughout the length of a race.
According to Alex Lowes, TNT Sports, “I think they have to be disappointed in general.” “They’ve done a lot of testing here; it’s their home and track, but Ducati was a clear, big step ahead.”
Michael Laverty, a TNT pundit and former MotoGP racer, believed that Binder’s mental state was being affected by the Desmosedici’s performance. Binder finished Sunday as the leading KTM despite beginning in 12th place.
“[Binder is] a racer, and everyone’s a little demoralized by the Ducati GP24’s strength,” Laverty remarked.
We do know one thing about KTM: they are winners. Rather of viewing this as a drawback, they focus on the gap and how to close it in order to be prepared for 2025.
“They will simply be addressing every single component, whether it be engine development or aerodynamics.”
According to Laverty, it’s just a matter of time until KTM makes the advancements required to contend with Ducati.
There isn’t much room for improvement for Ducati, he claimed. “Obviously, they always find something, but KTM has the resources and the expertise—it just takes time.”
They’re still developing constantly since they’re a relatively new MotoGP factory in this championship—they’re not even ten years old.
“Ducati deserves their moment in the spotlight right now because this is their [22nd] season in this championship and they had a significant lull before they came [to the position they’re in].”
