Jonas Folger back on track with Kalex-Triumph

Two weeks after a surprise track return during 2019 Moto2 testing at Aragon, Jonas Folger was back on the Kalex-Triumph machine at Brno this week.

The main focus of the two-day test was refinement of the new-for-2019 Magneti-Marelli ECU system, following a software update from the Italian company.

Jonas Folger back on track with Kalex-Triumph

Two weeks after a surprise track return during 2019 Moto2 testing at Aragon, Jonas Folger was back on the Kalex-Triumph machine at Brno this week.

The main focus of the two-day test was refinement of the new-for-2019 Magneti-Marelli ECU system, following a software update from the Italian company.

"On Wednesday and Thursday this week, we continued our development process with our 2019 chassis, equipped with the latest update of the race-spec [765cc] Triumph engine and the standardised electronics coming from Magneti-Marelli," confirmed Kalex CEO and Chief Designer Alexander Baumgärtel.

"Conditions were good on both days though, unfortunately, a downpour on Thursday at lunch time cost us two hours. But, in general we were able to make good progress with our schedule at all.

"I think we have been able to provide good and valuable information to Magneti-Marelli again. In addition, thanks to the support of their technicians on spot, we could work on fine-tuning of the electronics process.

"Therefore, this allowed us to complete our first basic trails on chassis testing side. From that point of view, we are very satisfied with the findings after these two days."

No lap times were released, but Baumgärtel - whose company is currently on course for its sixth Moto2 riders' title in a row - said they had been 'very decent'.

"Again, lap times were not the focus this time, but we were very careful to keep conditions consistent. That was one reason that we used on both days only the harder tyre option which was an enormously help in this regard.

"On the other hand, lap times were very decent even so."

Unlike at the Aragon test, no official comments were provided by Folger, who quit MotoGP in the aftermath of severe fatigue issues that had forced him to curtail his rookie 2017 campaign.

Paddock opinion remains divided as to whether Folger is ready to make a return in the Moto2 class next season, where he was a triple race winner prior to his Tech3 MotoGP move.

Baumgärtel said Folger, a MotoGP podium finisher one year ago in Germany, "did a fantastic job".

"At this stage of our project, he was a great help for us," Baumgärtel added.

Read More