Kallio in full swing before test season - Double victories in iceroadracing

Mika Kallio is in good shape and ready to face his KTM MotoGP-project test season opener, which takes place in Jerez this week. Kallio was enjoying himself on an ice track last week in Seinäjoki, Finland, when he took part to the iceroadracing Finnish Championship winter premiere. Kallio won both of Saturday’s races and declared it a day gone well. Along with keeping up the taste for racing, Kallio aimed to test his new physique, resulting from three simultaneous surgeries he underwent before Christmas. The rider was happy with both the team’s performance and and his feeling after the race. 

-It went pretty well, considering the circumstances. I have rode on ice only once this year, due to a tight schedule and the recuperation period after surgeries. I must have done something right, since these races were definetely not won through thorough preparation, Kallio grinned. 

-The victories did not come easily and I was challenged all the way through, but I managed to pull off a solid performance with no personal mistakes and I believe the track suited me well in addition. After a few training laps I found the race feel and the rest was pure enjoyment, Kallio stated happily. 

-I was a bit cautious during practices, since I wanted to see how the newly operated ankle, wrist and shoulder responded to riding. The Spanish surgeons did obviously a great job, since I was able to pick up my pace instantly and rely on my body to handle the speed. I felt no pain whatsoever and was able to pull off a good performance, so I am confident that I am ready for the upcoming MotoGP-tests, Kallio confirmed. 

-My brother Vesa won both of the smaller class races and I cleared the table in the other two, so we can agree that the Kallio Racing - team did a great job once again and I would like to thank them for the hard work, Kallio finished. 

Kallio will commence his KTM MotoGP-test year on the upcoming Thursday in Jerez, with three days of intense riding. The Finn was able to ride one preliminary test with the new beast last November after his Moto2 race season in Valencia and he is excited to see how the planned modifications on the bike have turned out during winter. 

-it is interesting to see how they have developed the bike at the factory based on the input the team and I gave them after my first test. I know the electronics are in better shape now and some modifications have taken place on the front fork and front part of the chassis. The bike felt surprisingly good already in November, but my work is just beginning now. Our common goal is to build a MotoGP-bike which is competitive with the top brands, such as Honda, Yamaha, and similar. In that sense, we have a big project ahead of us, Kallio smiled. 

KTM factory racing team will take part in the MotoGP-series in 2017 and their test year of 2016  will commence on February 18-20th in Jerez, Spain. The tests are private and no media nor audience is allowed at the venue, but a limited amount of photos can be found from mikakallio.com/formedia.

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