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When there are only a handful of days left before MotoGP returns to the track in Qatar, KTM and Aprilia are getting a head start by firing up their engines in a two-day private test session (April 7 and 8) at the Misano circuit. The session, initially scheduled to take place at Jerez but moved to Italy due to the bad weather that has hit the area in recent weeks, will be useful not so much for the Doha event as for the official collective tests scheduled for next April 28 at Jerez de La Frontera, where all the teams are expected to bring more or less important evolutions ahead of the European part of the championship.
On the track dedicated to Marco Simoncelli, the two test riders Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro will be active for the Austrian team, who have been away from the RC16 since last February's Malaysia shakedown, which acted as an appetizer to the pre-season in the premier class.
On the other hand, as far as the Italian team is concerned, riding the bike will be Lorenzo Savadori, the tester who has been called to work overtime this year having had to replace Jorge Martin in all three rounds of the calendar so far. For the Emilian rider, however, Austin should probably be his last appearance, as the reigning world champion will make his return in Qatar.
Finally, the dominant Ducati will also be present. In this case on the bike will be the 'veteran' Michele Pirro, who last weekend raced at Misano in the opening CIV Italian Superbike round. The 38-year-old's task will be more complex than that of his colleagues, as he will not only have to test the GP25 of Bagnaia and Marquez, but also the Panigale V4 R SBK.
