P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pol Espargaro explains the MotoGP cornering phase where KTM couldn’t match Ducati.
During his final MotoGP appearance of the season at Portimao, KTM’s test and replacement rider Pol Espargaro identified a specific area for improvement in the RC16 compared to Ducati. Espargaro closely followed Fabio di Giannantonio’s Ducati during the race, noting the Italian’s ability to rotate the bike quickly in a corner. He believes this rotation advantage is likely due to aerodynamics, and KTM has plans to address this for next year. Despite uncertainty about competitors’ developments, including Ducati and Honda’s progress, Espargaro is optimistic about KTM’s upgrades for the 2026 season, especially with rising star Pedro Acosta’s strong performances. Acosta’s impressive comeback in the 2025 season, with notable improvements and podium finishes, suggests a promising outlook for KTM in MotoGP.
