Once greatest strength: KTM riders complain about lack of top speed

– Pedro Acosta noted during the first three MotoGP race weekends of 2026 that KTM has lost some top speed compared to the competition. Since the manufacturers agreed on an “engine freeze” as part of the new technical regulations, no work was allowed on the engines themselves over the winter to find more power.

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On the other hand, work could be done on the airbox, electronics, ride-height system, and aerodynamics. All these elements influence the top speed on the straight.

In Thailand, the fastest KTM (Enea Bastianini) reached a top speed of 342,8 km/h. Aprilia riders Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi each reached 345,0 km/h. The best Ducati value (Marc Marquez) was 341,7 km/h.

In Brazil, Ducati (Marc Marquez) led the top speed rankings with 348,3 km/h. The fastest Aprilia (Bezzecchi) reached 346,1 km/h. The best KTM value (Acosta) was 342,8 km/h. In the USA, Aprilia (Bezzecchi) was again the fastest motorcycle at 353,9 km/h.

Better turning, but slower on the straight

The best Ducati value (Di Giannantonio) was 352,7 km/h and the best KTM value (Acosta) was 349,2 km/h. Since these peak values were measured in different sessions, they are only comparable to a limited extent (keyword: slipstream). Nevertheless, a trend can be identified.

Acosta summarizes his assessment of the KTM as follows: “The bike works significantly better in the corners than last year. It looks like one of our greatest strengths, top speed on the straights, has disappeared.”

“The manufacturers have worked very hard, because you can see that Ducati is still in front and Aprilia has made a huge step.” KTM has improved turning and tire wear over the race distance, but apparently lost some top speed in the process.

Brad Binder also confirms this. “We made some fundamental changes to the aero package so that the bike turns in a bit better,” says the South African. “It turns in better, brakes better, and generally handles the corners better.”

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“The balance is better, but somehow we certainly added drag in the process. So the top speed is definitely a bit trickier than in past seasons. It’s far from catastrophic, but it’s definitely a bit lower.”

“We were always used to making up time on the straights; that was always one of our greatest strengths. Losing that makes it a bit more difficult in the race because you really have to try to plan your overtaking maneuvers better.”

This was clearly visible during the duel between Acosta and Marc Marquez in the Thailand sprint. On the home straight, the Ducati rider was always able to overtake the KTM. On the long straight towards Turn 3, Acosta could hardly launch any attacks.

But has KTM lost top speed, or has the competition found something? “I’m not sure,” says Maverick Vinales. “But last year I felt like I could overtake people more easily on the straight.”

“Maybe the others have improved. I don’t know.” Could it be the aerodynamics? “That could be, I don’t know,” says Vinales. “We are trying to achieve more cornering performance and also more braking stability to be more precise.”

“In some areas, you just lose out for that. This probably has a stronger effect on the wings. We know that we have lost some top speed compared to last year. But we are trying to gain something in the corner and on the brakes. It’s always a question of balance.”

KTM has made a successful start to the new season with Acosta. He won the sprint in Thailand and was on the podium in the Grand Prix in both Thailand and the USA. After three race weekends, KTM occupies third place in the manufacturers’ standings, just behind Ducati.

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