Did Mika Kallio Just Hint at KTM's Future 850cc MotoGP Machine at Sepang?
Get ready, MotoGP fans, because the whispers from the Sepang track are getting louder! The recent MotoGP Shakedown saw a familiar face, Mika Kallio, join KTM's test rider lineup alongside Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa. But here's where it gets interesting: images from the track suggest Kallio was lapping without the usual ride-height or holeshot devices. This is a big deal, especially with ride-height systems set to be banned from the 2027 MotoGP regulations.
This observation immediately sparked a flurry of speculation: could Kallio have been putting KTM's future 850cc machinery through its paces? The first hints emerged during practice starts on day one. While Espargaro's 2026-spec RC16 dipped as expected, Kallio's attempt at a race start with a standard ride height resulted in a rather dramatic wheelie! And this is the part most people miss: further review of earlier footage showed Kallio's bike seemingly staying at its normal height on corner exit, a stark contrast to Pedrosa's visibly lowered RC16. Kallio appeared to continue this 'normal height' approach into day two as well.
KTM has already made history by being the first manufacturer to run an 850cc MotoGP engine on track, with Espargaro completing an initial outing at Jerez last December. When questioned about Kallio testing this new engine during the shakedown, KTM stated his primary role was to support Espargaro and Pedrosa, but he would also be testing 'items that are in an earlier development stage that don’t need an ultimate stress test'. While not a direct confirmation, this wording certainly leaves the door open for the possibility that these 'earlier stage' items are indeed connected to KTM's 2027 project.
But here's where it gets controversial... If Kallio was indeed riding without a ride-height device, and potentially with a reduced engine power or the new 850cc engine, it would logically explain the 4-5 second lap time gap observed between his times and those of the other KTM riders. This isn't to say Kallio isn't a capable rider, but rather that he might have been testing components that significantly alter the bike's performance characteristics. What is certain, however, is that Kallio was still using Michelin tyres, not the Pirelli rubber slated for the next-generation regulations.
This entire situation raises fascinating questions about the future of MotoGP. Do you think KTM is deliberately testing its 850cc platform without advanced aids to understand its true potential? Or is this purely a precautionary measure for the upcoming regulations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take on this developing story!
