Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1045181
IN THE WIND P46 BALLINGTON HONORED IN AUSTRALIA F our-time World Champion Kork Ballington became the latest and 28th MotoGP legend, to be inducted to the Hall of Fame in a Friday ceremony at Phillip Island. The Zimbabwe-born South African, now a resident in Aus- tralia, won consecutive double 250/350 titles on a factory Kawasaki in 1978 and 1979. A move to the 500 class on the innovative monocoque-chassis Kawasaki, however, proved less rewarding for the bespectacled rider. "What an occasion. This is fantastic. I am humbled," he said. "For starters, I'm honored, because Randy [Mamola] flew all the way from California to see me. I'm amongst friends; this is my fraternity. To be put alongside the 27 other fantastic riders is an honor and a privilege." Mamola was himself awarded Legend status at the Americas GP earlier this year. The list in- cludes luminaries from Giacomo Agostini to Franco Uncini, and includes greats, such as Mick Doohan, Eddie Lawson, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey, Fred- die Spencer, Barry Sheen and Casey Stoner, among a roll call of historic heroes. Dani Pedrosa is to be inducted at the Valencia GP, which will close the former 125 and double 250-champion's illustrious career. Michael Scott Kork Ballington, a hero of South African racing, is now a MotoGP Legend. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE PEDROSA SIGNS WITH KTM T he rumors were true. Soon-to- retire Dani Pedrosa has cut his ties with Honda, for whom he has ridden throughout his career, to enlist as factory tester for KTM. The two-year deal, done behind closed doors, was finally confirmed on the first day of the Australian GP. The triple champion and veteran of 13 years in the premier MotoGP class will work alongside the Aus- trian factory's current tester Mika Kallio, developing the KTM RC16 for the bike's third year of competi- tion. The team is to be headed by Jo- hann Zarco, alongside current rider Pol Espargaro, with a new factory- level satellite team run by former Yamaha allies Tech 3, fielding class rookie Miguel Oliveira and current first-year rider Hafizh Syahrin. Motorsports Director Pit Beirer, said, "To have a rider of Dani's skill and experience as part of our MotoGP project is another strong sign that we are moving in the right direction, and we are still pushing as hard as we can." Although the Austrian team has failed to match its first-year race results this season, the gap to the winner has been consis- tently slashed. "We have seen how competitive MotoGP is this year, and how frac- tions of a second can sometimes hide real progress and valuable lessons," Beirer said. Pedrosa will be rejoining his long-time former crew chief Mike Leitner, now the MotoGP team manager. KTM is on the back foot in developing its 2019 machine, after full-time tester Kallio was put out for the rest of the year by a bad accident as a wildcard at the German GP in July; and then Pol Espargaro was also badly hurt at Brno, missing several races after also re-breaking his collarbone at Aragon on his return. Michael Scott After 13 years as a Honda factory MotoGP racer, Dani Pedrosa will switch to KTM as a test rider for the next two years.