As three riders reach Q2, could KTM finally surprise…

Though the KTM MotoGP riders may not be feeling overly confident regarding their race chances this weekend at Aragon, it was surprising to see three of the Austrian manufacturer's riders progress to Q2 for the first time in 2025 following Friday practice.

Maverick Viñales led the KTM trio into the automatic Q2 spots in third place on the times, followed by factory riders Pedro Acosta in fifth and Brad Binder in seventh. The final KTM rider, Enea Bastianini, missed out in 13th but was only two-and-a-half tenths off cracking the top 10.

Sounding particularly upbeat, Binder discussed the slight improvements that appeared to make the difference.

“Firstly happy to be straight through into Q2, it’s been a while so that’s good but in general I think today was pretty positive,” said Binder. “I was really struggling this morning with a lot of understeer and this afternoon we found something that gave me a lot more front confidence so that was great.

“A lot less understeer so I’m pretty happy about that and in general everything’s quite ok. There are things we can try to fix for tomorrow but I think a good step forward for this track.”

Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images)

Maverick Vinales was also in good spirits following his pace but outlined that there is further work to be done, much like Binder did.

“One of the Fridays that we can be more positive, that KTM can be more positive,” said Vinales.

“Even though I think we still have some parts of the track to improve that with the medium [tyre] used was way better to ride the bike so it’s probably a little bit unbalanced when you put the soft rear, the behaviour of the front always slightly [caused opening] the line and it’s so hard to be precise in section one and two and three.

“In section four I think we are quite strong as well as in section two but even though I think still we can improve but one and three where you have to do corner speed, wow! It’s tough when I put the time attack. With used medium [tyres] I did in the third exit, I feel we have a good potential.”

Things appear to be looking up for the KTM squad at Aragon but its riders are putting off final judgment until qualifying tomorrow.