KTM resumes testing at Le Mans, Pedrosa still absent

The Red Bull KTM squad has resumed in-season testing with a two-day programme at Le Mans with both Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco in action alongside test rider Mika Kallio, while Dani Pedrosa remains out of action due to his surgery over the winter.

Following KTM’s best dry weather results in MotoGP, as Espargaro qualified fifth and finished eighth at the Americas MotoGP, the Austrian brand has started its preparations for the European stretch of the season with a two-day test at Le Mans which hosts the French round next month (May 17-19).

With KTM not under concession restrictions, Espargaro and Zarco joined Kallio for the second day of the test which was hit by mixed weather conditions as rain showers curtailed track action.

Kallio was given the bulk of the testing programme over the two days with fellow test rider Pedrosa still out of action following stem cell surgery he underwent in February which has ruled him out for three months.

Pedrosa made his test debut for KTM at Jerez in December aiming to help focus the team’s development programme for the pre-season tests in Malaysia and Qatar which he missed due to his surgery.

According to MotoGP.com, KTM left the test satisfied with its progress at Le Mans as part of its preparation for the next round at Jerez which hosts the Spanish MotoGP round on May 3-5.

Jerez also holds an official MotoGP test after the Spanish round (May 6). A KTM representative has told Crash.net the team is yet to confirm its rider line-up for the Jerez test but Pedrosa is not expected to be in action as he continues his recovery.

The next official MotoGP in-season test follows the Catalan MotoGP round on June 17.