Moto2: Oliveira takes new KTM to top of the timesheets

Miguel Oliveira has proven that Austrian manufacturer KTM mean business as they make their first forays into Moto2, by topping the first of 2017’s private tests at Valencia this week.

Completing two days at the home of the final race of the season, the Portuguese racer finished the test 0.17 ahead of Fabio Quartararo.

“We’ve had two days of hard work and a lot of laps, especially today because the temperature was ideal for riding and there was much less wind than yesterday. We did a very good job and were able to test a lot of things, focusing on improving the rear of the bike. We didn’t look for a fast lap and instead did some race preparation with used tyres.

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“The setting for the shock has changed, although this was something we had already taken into account. At Jerez, a very different circuit to this one, we will be able to try softer tyres and continue working on the rear. We already have many ideas in mind for what we want to test there.”

However, he wasn’t joined by teammate and reigning Moto3 champion Brad Binder, who will have to wait to their next outing as he continues to recover from a broken arm, according to team boss Aki Ajo.

“It was a shame that Brad couldn’t be here, after injuring his hand and undergoing two operations. The goal is for him to be back in time for the Jerez test. Once again, Miguel has demonstrated his professionalism, gathering a lot of useful data during these two days in Valencia with the new KTM Moto2 bike.”

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