First look: Zarco at KTM

Johann Zarco rode his first laps as a Red Bull KTM MotoGP rider at the Valencia MotoGP test, on Tuesday morning.

The Frenchman – who claimed six podiums, four pole positions and top satellite honours during two seasons with Monster Yamaha Tech3 – is starting a new challenge as a factory rider for 2019.

Zarco was the first rider out on the damp track at 11:40am, saving a scare while using wet tyres on his shakedown run before switching to slicks to start serious work with the RC16.

KTM took its first MotoGP podium with third place by Pol Espargaro in Sunday’s wet Valencia finale.

Tech3 is also switching to KTM machinery, with Moto2 title runner-up Miguel Oliveira taking over from Zarco, alongside Hafizh Syahrin.