RED BULL KTM TEAM GOES TO JEREZ
18 January 2005 - KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG

The Red Bull KTM GP125 team is now moving onto Jerez in Southern Spain after completing the IRTA test session in Barcelona this week.

The Barcelona and Jerez tests are final pre-season trials before the opening race of the season, the Spanish Grand Prix, at Jerez on April 10.

The just completed Barcelona test saw KTM riders Mika Kallio, Gabor Talmacsi and Julian Simon continue evaluation of engine, electronics and suspension set-up.

The three riders all finished in the top ten with new signing Talmacsi, from Hungary, the fastest in fourth position with a best time of 1’52.405s.

Finnish rider Kallio was eighth with a best lap of 1’52.811s and Spanish youngster Simon ninth at 1’52.984s.

It was an important test which gave all three riders valuable track time, especially Simon who missed earlier test sessions while recovering from a motocross injury.

Unfortunately Simon suffered three crashes during the Barcelona test while completing a total of 95 laps. Kallio put in a lot of track time with 155 laps while Talmacsi did 115 laps.

The test was supervised by KTM general manager of road racing Harald Bartol : “Overall the test was valuable in giving us a lot of feedback and data as we prepare for the season. There were not a lot of new parts, mainly electronic systems which we are preparing for the season.

“We still have some upgraded engine performance to come for the first race so I’m happy to have the three riders in the top ten at this stage.

“Julian had three crashes but two of them were not his fault. Gabor was the fastest and he is now feeling more comfortable on the bike after joining us for the 2005 season. Mika did a lot of laps and a lot of work on set-up although he usually saves his fastest times for the races.”

The two day Jerez test commences on Monday April 21.

www.ktm.com

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