MotoGP race winner Pedrosa to return to KTM for Misano test

The 31-time grand prix winner Dani Pedrosa is preparing to return to MotoGP action in a private test for KTM in mid-April.

Pedrosa will test for KTM over two days between 8-11 April, depending on weather conditions, before the Spaniard joins the rest of the MotoGP grid at the first official test of the season in Jerez on Monday 28 April – the day after the Spanish Grand Prix.

The 39-year-old will be joined by KTM’s four contracted riders – Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini, and Maverick Vinales – at Misano and it puts recent speculation to an end about a possible split between Pedrosa and KTM, which had gained momentum following the race weekend in Argentina.

Pedrosa balances his role as KTM’s development rider with his position as a commentator for DAZN, the broadcaster that holds MotoGP broadcasting rights in Spain.

During his TV appearances, he usually wears logos of his personal sponsors along with the KTM Factory Racing emblem. However, during the Argentine GP weekend, these logos were absent, fuelling speculation about his future with the brand.

Dani Pedrosa, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

No wildcard on the horizon

KTM announced Pedrosa’s contract renewal for another season on 12 November last year, just before the final race of the season in Barcelona. However, he did not take part in the subsequent test.

On 19 November, KTM’s management informed the team’s riders about an impending financial crisis, which later became public, and since then Pedrosa and KTM’s other test rider, Pol Espargaro, have only taken part in the shakedown test at Sepang.

But at this stage, the chances of Pedrosa also making a wildcard appearance in a grand prix are also seen as slim. His last race entry was at last year’s Spanish GP, where he secured third in the Saturday sprint race but crashed out of Sunday’s main race in the early laps.