Espargaro signs off 2019 MotoGP with top ten result as binder wins in Moto2 again

The final round of nineteen in 2019 MotoGP took place at the staple venue of the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. 27 laps of action brought the season to a close in front of 99,000 spectators and in cool temperatures that barely rose above fifteen degrees.

Pol Espargaro launched from 11th place and the fourth row of the grid (having lodged the team’s fourteenth Q2 appearance of 2019 on Saturday) and settled into the group disputing slots on the periphery of the top ten. Again the KTM rider found himself in the company of his brother, Aleix, and on this occasion the elder Espargaro was able to prevail. Pol crossed the finish line just two tenths of a second away from 9th but having secured his eighth top ten classification (seven results better than 2018). Espargaro ends 2019 with seventeen points scoring results (one DNF and one DNS). His total of 100 points is his highest yet and for KTM in the premier class.

Mika Kallio completed his six-race fill-in role with 12th position in Valencia. The Fin set-off from his joint-best qualification position of 17th and posted points for the third time.

Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Iker Lecuona made his MotoGP debut and ahead of a full 2020 campaign with the team. The Spaniard improved his pace on every outing with the RC16 during the weekend. He rode from 19th spot to within MotoGP points by mid-race distance but then lost control on Turn 6. Teammate Hafizh Syahrin finalised his KTM MotoGP career with 15th and his sixth set of points.