Optimism around K🦹TM has been quelled by Simon Crafar’s conc𝓀erns over their preseason.

Jack Miller and Brad Binder tested a bold aero design and various set-up✱ configurations over the two-day Qatar test.

KTM had�ꦉ� been tipped by many to be Ducati’s closest challengers when the 2024 MotoGP season begins.

But is their competitiveness better than their humble lapꩵ times in Qatar?

Broadcaster and ex-rider Crafar insisted✤: “That is the million dolla♑r question!

“I have really believed in KTM because they have brought s✅o much.

The riders confirmed that it is better.

“When I say so much, a couple of specs of engine🧜s.

“I asked Brad about the new engine. He said: ‘It’s gr🐽ea🔜t, I can’t feel anything different, it just gets quicker to the rev limit’.

“They have work🎐ed on ﷺelectronics, exhausts, the aero is confirmed as better.

“But I still haven’t seen what I was expecting.

“I was💝 expecting, like last year, when it all came together, to see the results of all of this.

“I’ll be honest,ꦜ I’m a little bit nervous ﷽for them that it hasn’t turned up yet.

“It is the last minute. I really don’t know…

“I don’t think we’ve seen what I expected, t𒉰hat KTM would get close to Ducati.

“Aprilia, o༒n the one-off lap, was the only one c𝕴lose [to Ducati].

“Brad, in his defence, did a big long run. They he cam♉e in and put two softs onꩲ, just to have a go.

“He must have been tired, after two🐼 days, then did a long run.

“What I’m saying is that there’s a chance still that we will see whꦡat I’m talking about 𒉰at the first race. What I am expecting, like last year.

“Both KTM riders are ‘racers’ - they dig something deeper out, at a ra♈ce event.

“I think everyone will agree with that. Their team d🔯o.

“There’s a good ch🙈ance of seeing it. But I’m a little nervous for them, that we haven’t seen it on paper yet.”

Binder was𒊎 fourth-fastest on Monday, withꦺ Miller 14th.

They were ninth and 11th respectively on Tuesday.

KTM will run Miller and Binder as thei♐r factory duo, and have Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez in their Tech3🌄 GASGAS project.

The manufacturer also has the strong t🔥esting duo of Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa in reserve.

The season begins in Qatar on March 8.