SuperBike Magazine September 2020

85
Red Bull KTM toasted their
second MotoGP victory in
the space of two weeks
with Miguel Oliveira’s brilliantly
judged first-ever success at
the Red Bull Ring for the BMW M
Grand Prix of Styria. The 25-year
old not only claimed the first win
for his Red Bull KTM Tech3 team
in MotoGP but also for Portugal.
Pol Espargaro fought for the
checkered flag until the last corner
and scored his second career
podium in 3rd place. KTM had all
four RC16s in the top ten; more
than any other brand. Celestino
Vietti posted KTM’s second Moto3
victory in a row.
A second Grand Prix in the
space of seven days took place in
the picturesque but challenging
setting of the Red Bull Ring in
Spielberg. Espargaro set off from
Pole Position for the fifth outing
of the season. The Spaniard
launched from P1 for what was
the first Pole for the factory (and
the rider) in less than four terms
in the premier class of MotoGP
and just four years after KTM had
announced their MotoGP plans
and ambitions at the same circuit.
An accident midway through
the 28-lap spectacle produced
the red flag for an air fence to be
repaired at Turn 1. The 900th premier
class race was restarted with
a 12-lap distance and with all four
KTM RC16s hunting the leading
group. Espargaro surged to the
front and engaged in a thrilling
duel with Jack Miller on the last
circulation. Miguel Oliveira was
also extremely close and poised
to make the most of any mistake.
When Espargaro and Miller ran
deep into the final turn Oliveira
read the situation to perfection;
powering past to claim the checkered
flag on what was his 150th
Grand Prix start. The result was
also noteworthy for Red Bull KTM
Tech3, representing their maiden
triumph in the premier class