The most intriguing times posted at the Sepang Shakedown test were set by KTM’s reliability test rider Mika Kallio. The Finnish veteran’s times on Thursday and Friday were 5 and 6 seconds off the best times, whereas today, on Saturday, he was just 2.6 seconds behind. That kind of variation is a sign of something going on.
Day1
Day2
Day 3
Mika Kallio
KTM RC16
2:03.203
2:04.376
1:59.807
The most obvious explanation would be that KTM are testing their 850 at Sepang. I have approached KTM for comment, but frankly, do not expect a reply. The shakedown test is a private test, and factories typically don’t comment on private tests. Two things I did notice from looking at photos, however, just add to the confusion. Here’s one, from Hazrin Yeob Men Shah’s instagram feed:
