KTM emerged as one of the early talking points from the opening sessions of MotoGP’s Sepang test, as initial data and rider feedback suggested its heavily revised RC16 is moving in the right direction ahead of the 2026 season.
The Austrian manufacturer arrived in Malaysia with an ambitious development programme, introducing what riders described as a near-complete redesign rather than a simple update. Pedro Acosta said the project felt like “building a bike from zero,” reflecting KTM’s determination to close the gap to Ducati and other frontrunners.
Strong preparation during the winter allowed KTM to accelerate its testing programme. After early groundwork from test riders Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa, the factory team pushed the new prototype through an intensive evaluation programme.
Maverick Viñales led KTM’s charge on the timesheets, setting the third-fastest lap of the day with a 1m57.295s. He finished behind Marc Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio and focused much of his session on assessing a new swingarm and updated aerodynamic parts while retaining his Valencia-tested chassis.
The Spaniard said the latest version of the RC16 addressed several weaknesses from last season, particularly in areas that previously limited consistency. He reported a strong feeling with the bike on medium tyres before producing his fastest time on soft rubber.
Source: GP Today
Pedro Acosta also expressed confidence in the direction of development, despite ending the day in 15th after skipping a final time attack. His main focus was on refining the chassis, which he described as largely resolved. The new frame is expected to improve performance in long, high-speed corners that proved problematic in 2025.
With the chassis showing progress, Acosta has now turned his attention to aerodynamics. He is seeking better turning performance and stronger front-end stability as KTM continues to refine its aero package.
The positive mood within the KTM camp reflects improved stability following organisational changes that disrupted development last season. Riders have reported faster responses from engineers, with Acosta noting that many of his requests from the Valencia test were delivered for Sepang.
Despite the encouraging signs, KTM remains cautious. Long-term tyre wear, a major concern in 2025, is still under evaluation. Acosta completed extended runs on medium tyres to assess race pace, but said it was too early to draw firm conclusions.
Enea Bastianini and Brad Binder ended the day in 12th and 13th respectively, with Binder scheduled to begin testing additional components in the coming sessions.
While early results point to meaningful progress, KTM’s true competitiveness will become clearer as testing continues. For now, the opening day in Sepang has provided strong evidence that its renewed RC16 project is beginning to deliver.
