KTM’s radical new MotoGP chassis shows true success of European marques
Carbon fibre chassis are not a new concept in MotoGP , but a full frame made of the material has not been used since Ducati did so with its 2009, 2010 and 2011 bike. Though it was a race winner with Casey Stoner, Ducati struggled to retain its title-winning form from 2007 when it ran a steel trellis chassis, and abandoned the carbon concept for 2012 when it switched to a conventional aluminium design. Aluminium chassis were standard across the grid until KTM made its debut in 2017, bringing with it the return of the steel trellis chassis – a concept basically a part of the Austrian brand’s DNA. KTM regularly batted away suggestions that it would find competitiveness in MotoGP by joining its rivals in a switch to an aluminium frame, but steadfastly stuck to its guns. Since 2020, KTM won at least one race and has been rewarded with its determination. On Friday at Misano, however, KTM hinted at its next development step as 31-time MotoGP race winner ...