How MotoGP’s “beast” tamers bounced back at Catalunya
The expectation on KTM to replicate its winning form from 2020 this season made its difficult start to the new MotoGP campaign even more disappointing. But a key update has seen KTM's fortunes reversed over the last week and returned it to the top step of the podium in Barcelona
Few people predicted KTM to win three races in the 2020 MotoGP season. That expectation was reversed coming into 2021, however, with the Austrian manufacturer proving between its factory and Tech3 satellite squad that it was capable of great things.
And with KTM the only manufacturer alongside Aprilia allowed to develop a new engine for 2021, much of the grid feared it would come to the new season armed with a ‘super engine’. Married to what proved to be a solid chassis and a factory squad helmed by what Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal told Autosport last season was the “dream team” in Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira, the grid was right to be worried.
Share Or Save This Story
Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.
While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.
More from Lewis Duncan
Ducati announces Aldeguer signing for 2025, but not where he will race
Why Acosta's MotoGP debut outshone Marquez's a decade earlier
Yamaha “not magicians” as it's left “not happy” after Qatar MotoGP round
Marquez ‘not at limit’ of Ducati despite strong Qatar MotoGP debut
Martin “cannot use strongest parts” of his riding on 2024 Ducati MotoGP bike
How Qatar MotoGP debut proved Marquez's Ducati switch is already paying off
MotoGP rookie sensation Acosta “has to be happy” with Qatar GP “mistakes”
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
Latest news
Everything you need to know about the pitwall in F1 - who sits there and what does it do?
Alpine: "Shock" of having slowest F1 car triggered tech revamp
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Both DS Penske in the points in São Paulo
Autosport Plus
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.