KIWI RIDER 06 2019 VOL.1 | Page 26

PEDROSA TO OFFICIALLY START TESTING FOR KTM It’s been a while since we heard much of former Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa. After his somewhat forced retirement it was announced in October that Pedrosa would be joining KTM in a development role, however, his involvment in the Matthigofen MotoGP effort has been limited thus far due to injury. The Spaniard, who spent thirteen years in MotoGP, has now successfully recovered from a stress fracture to his right collarbone which has hampered his efforts with the KTM team this season, but after being able to complete several laps of the fast and demanding Mugello track aboard the development KTM RC16 during a private testing session, KTM has announced he will be performing full duties for the team from this month. 26 KIWI RIDER “It was very positive and also quite exciting to see Dani riding at Mugello and able to make those laps, says Red Bull KTM Team Manager Mike Leitner. “It means his shoulder recovery has gone well and he is almost ready to start his new job for us. We can all see how close MotoGP is in 2019 so far and how high the level is now, so to have Dani’s experience and his knowledge coming into the team and to the technicians back in the factory will only help us even more.” Red Bull KTM currently sit at 9th in the World Standings (after five rounds) with Pol Esparago ahead of teammate Johan Zarco by 21 points. HRC Honda’s Marc Marquez leads the 2019 Championship on 95 points.