Something for Danilo Petrucci, who stated that he feels younger than ever? Has KTM built the ideal vehicle for him, and has just presented it? However, we are not entirely sure whether “Petrux” will really be able to fight for the title whith this machine (© KTM).

Some statements in the team presentations thought through to the end

It’s not that we or the fans are not at all interested in what drivers and teams put on record before the season. But it often becomes funny or even questionable when you put some statements to the test. We start with Danilo Petrucci, the trained police officer from northern Italy. At team presentation he told “at KTM he feels younger than before”. When KTM of course brings an electric tricycle for really young boys to the market almost at the same time, the fantasies blossom immediately. Especially with someone who, like the serious and mature “Petrux”, doesn’t really fit into the Red Bull painted image, where crazy people jump off rooftops and sometimes lose their lives in the process.

Danilo “Petrux” Petrucci on the factory Ducati, that’s over now and the likeable Italian landed at Tech 3 KTM as a team-mate of Iker Lecuona (© MotoGP).

The prerogative of the MotoGP icon for such slogans
But seriously, what a fitting saying should be left for Valentino Rossi. Actually, the old master has leased such statements for himself and “Petrux”, at only 25, is still a youngster compared to the over 40-year-old. But he has to be credited with the fact that he will compete in Tech 3 next season alongside a young man who has just turned 21.

The lightning-fast new weapon from KTM – perhaps less intended for MotoGP? Some time ago we bought two KTM e-bikes (type E-Lycan) at a unit price of over 3,500 euros. These mountain bikes are a real eye-catcher. However, one of the batteries didn’t even last a year and a half and the dealer was already bankrupt at that point. We are still waiting for a replacement, KTM never replied to our request (© KTM).

More stupid than everybody else – the statement by Iker Lecuona

While Danilo Petrucci should definitely not be blamed for his saying, it looks a lot different with his new teammate. When he was chosen by KTM to compete in MotoGP for Tech 3, some experts scratched the back of their heads. But even more incomprehension arose when Lecuona was quoted as saying that the best 22 riders in the world were racing in MotoGP. Is the Spaniard still very much at ease? To trumpet something like that into the world, of all things, with his sparse successes to date? The young man has never stood on top of the podium in a single Grand Prix in his entire life! We’re not talking about MotoGP, but so far he has only achieved only one second and one third place in Moto2. The rest of what he said about the coming season can be skipped against this background.

The miserable success of a man who wants to follow in the footsteps of the former KTM loudmouth Pol Espargaró. Even compared to the Catalans who have not yet won the premier class, Iker Lecuona is an absolute nobody. Pol was Moto2 world champion in 2013 and has 15 GP victories, so he can open his mouth a little wide open now and then.

The outstanding team and driver presentations

Since the vehicles are repainted 2020 models, we deliberately refrain from publishing countless articles and photos. In addition, the speedweek website, which is part of Red Bull Media, has already featured so many KTM advertising articles that it will be enough for 2022. Outstanding team and driver presentations are currently still on the following dates:
February 15th: Monster Energy Yamaha – Maverick Viñales & Fabio Quartararo
– as well: Petronas Yamaha SRT: Franco Morbidelli & Valentino Rossi
February 19: LCR Honda Castrol – Alex Marquez
February 20: LCR Honda Idemitsu – Takaaki Nakagami
February 22: Repsol Honda – Pol Espargaró & Marc Márquez

Fabio Quartararo (left) and Valentino Rossi – the two swap chairs and teams respectively. But of course, together with Maverick Viñales and “Frankie” Morbidelli, both have Yamaha factory material available (© MotoGP).

Where you can admire the “new” bikes and paintwork
The photos are immediately available on the following page, who would like to see this in detail and, above all, neutrally: www.motogp.com

The Autodromo do Algarve near the coastal city of Portimão – as our readers had already known since last year, the third round of the World Cup after the season opener in Losail (Qatar) is to take place here. However, absolutely nothing is certain at the moment, because Portugal in particular is again badly affected by the corona pandemic.

The provisional calendar for 2021 in variant 2

In the meantime, it has also become clear to the last optimists that the second edition of FIM and Dorna on January 22nd corresponds more to a desired program than to a realistic plan. We have already sharpened our pencils to be prepared for the next changes. First and foremost, it will be important that it is possible to drive and that the season is not too compressed. In the end, the fans almost don’t care where this is because it is very unlikely that visitors will be allowed on the track. At least nothing indicates that there will be teams which, as in the previous year, KTM will have an advantage over the competition thanks to much earlier and more extensive tests.