KTM announces that Dani Pedrosa will make a special appearance for the team at the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix as a surprise participant, while Pol Espargaro will compete at the Italian Grand Prix.
Despite retiring from competitive racing at the end of 2018, Pedrosa’s contract with KTM as a test rider allowed him to participate in two rounds as an unexpected participant last season.
Pedrosa made a strong impression during his first surprise appearance in Jerez, where he had not competed in over six years. The Spanish rider finished sixth in the sprint race and seventh in the main event.
His solid performance inspired another impressive showing during his second surprise appearance in San Marino, where he nearly secured a podium finish, finishing fourth in both races.
“I had a lot of fun in Jerez last year and the fan support was incredible,” said Pedrosa. “We all know that Jerez is a special circuit. It’s important for us to gather some valuable data for our tests and apply it to the race environment. That’s the main reason why we are competing in 2024.”
Meanwhile, Espargaro will follow in Pedrosa’s footsteps by making a surprise appearance at the Italian Grand Prix, as he was unable to secure a full-time seat for the 2024 season.
The Spanish rider is in a positive mindset after his serious accident in Portimão earlier in the previous season, which caused him to miss half of the races.
“I am very excited to get back to racing, especially at Mugello, which is a truly special circuit to ride a MotoGP bike,” commented Espargaro. “It will be fantastic to be back on the starting grid with the other riders. Our tests have been exceptionally good and I am feeling very motivated. After the injury in 2023, I am starting to feel like myself again. I can’t wait to join the MotoGP ‘family’ and show the strength and speed of our testing work.”
Thanks to the new concession rules introduced for 2024, KTM’s C classification allows them to field Pedrosa and Espargaro in up to four additional races.
