KTM are now facing ‘horrific’ MotoGP issue amid media blackout at testing

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KTM finished the final day of MotoGP testing in reasonably good shape, at least based on the headline time-attack times. As he has been almost throughout testing, Pedro Acosta was their lead rider in fourth place.

Acosta’s time of a 1:29.133 was within three-tenths of what world championship frontrunner Marc Marquez managed on the Ducati. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a reflection of the real gap.

For instance, Acosta outpaced Francesco Bagnaia, but it would be a major surprise if he was ahead come qualifying for the Thailand Grand Prix. Some riders and teams are holding performance in reserve.

KTM will be perhaps the biggest mystery heading into the first race. That’s because they’ve imposed an effective media blackout.

Brad Binder spoke to MotoGP’s ‘After the Flag’ show after Thursday’s session, but it emerged on day one that KTM had taken the ‘unprecedented’ step of cancelling media scrums. This comes amid the company’s financial crisis, with a crucial vote on a restructuring plan looming at the end of the month.

Tech3 riders Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini aren’t subject to these restrictions. Vinales was an encouraging P9 on the final day after spending much of testing in the lower midfield.

KTM endured tyre woes at Buriram Test, but their riders won’t face the press

In addition to the time-attack outings, most riders also completed race simulations on the final day. Marquez blitzed the field on his Ducati, but the KTM pair seemed to suffer.

According to journalist Simon Patterson, Acosta and Binder were dealing with ‘pretty horrific tyre life issues’. He saw a sharp drop-off in their lap times.

A report from The Race adds that the rear tyre looked ‘absolutely chewed’ when they returned to the pits.

Temperatures in Buriram typically reach the mid-30s in the early afternoon at this time of year. That makes it one of the most challenging venues for the Michelin rubber.

This doesn’t necessarily spell trouble for KTM throughout the season, then. But it could make for a difficult start at the Thai GP.

Pedro Acosta interrupted reporter to make his feelings about KTM MotoGP team clear

Acosta was visibly frustrated after riding the KTM at the previous test in Sepang, according to one observer. He publicly stated that he was ‘quite happy’ with the updated RC16.

The Spaniard produced one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory last term, even if victory eluded him. He finished the year with a pole position and five podiums to his name.

Riders like Acosta are particularly impatient because they believe they’re already good enough to compete with the best. But he may have to wait before he can challenge for wins on a consistent basis.

Acosta interrupted an interviewer last week to make it clear that he hasn’t had ‘any doubts’ about KTM. Their debts total around £2bn, which puts the racing programme at risk beyond 2025.