K𒊎TM has revealed that a clutch problem initiated P🦩ol Espargaro's smoky exit from Sunday's Austin MotoGP.

The Spaniard, who claimed the new team's best yet finish with 14th in Argentina, was running in 18th place - ahead of team-m𝐆ate Bradley Smith and Aprilia's Sam Lowes - when he was forced to retire.

Team Manager Mike Leitner said: "Pol had an issue with the clutch, which caused an oil leak and this is why the engine was smoki♛ng."

"We started to feel this problem with the clutch in the second lap," Espargaro revealed. "I was not fast enough in the straights and in so🔥me corners the front was shaking quite a lot.

"Honestly the guys put in a big effort this weekend with the new fairing, and they didn't get much sleep. We were really unlucky to🧔day. I don't know what we could have 🔯done, but maybe it would have been possible to take a point.

"We will have some new par𝕴ts to test in Le Mans and after that we race in Jerez, where we ha🎀ve already been with the KTM. I feel something good is coming but we need to be patient."

Smith, who also scored a point in Argenꩵtina, went on to finish i🐬n 16th place.

"I was a bit nervous when I saw Pol's bike smoking and after that, I just tried to🐲 ಞlook after the bike and the tyres to get some important information for the team," Smith said.