Brad Binder and Jack Miller were instrumental in the official unveiling of KTM’s updated RC16, which made its debut in Malaysia last week during the three-day pre-season test.
On the concluding day of testing, South African rider Binder claimed seventh place, with his Australian teammate Miller securing the 14th spot. However, it was GasGas Tech3 rookie Pedro Acosta who turned heads during the test, finishing an impressive ninth overall on his RC16.
The factory KTM RC16, adorned with its iconic orange and dark blue livery for 2024, will once again be piloted by the unchanged rider lineup of Binder and Miller, backed by title sponsorship from Red Bull.
Binder, who has exclusively ridden for KTM throughout his MotoGP career, had a standout season last year, finishing fourth in the championship. He clinched two sprint race victories and secured five podium finishes across the 2023 season.
Meanwhile, Miller, who made the switch from the factory Ducati squad last year, ended the season in 11th place in the overall riders’ world championship with a single Grand Prix podium at the Spanish GP.
Their collective efforts propelled KTM to second place in the MotoGP World Constructors’ championship, marking the team’s best finish since joining the premier class full-time in 2017. This achievement serves as a solid foundation for the team as they aim to further excel in the 2024 season.
Hubert Trunkenpolz, a member of the executive board at KTM, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments, particularly in narrowing the gap to their competitors.
He attributed much of the progress to the team’s structure, emphasizing the importance of having the right personnel both at the factory and at the racetrack, as well as effective communication between them.
Trunkenpolz reiterated KTM’s unwavering commitment to MotoGP, stating their determination to pursue the championship title relentlessly until it is secured.
Next, MotoGP heads to Qatar for the final pre-season event, a two-day test at the Losail International Circuit on February 19-20.
