While Mika Kallio was confirmed to stay in his role as KTM factory tester next year, Dani Pedrosa brushed off growing rumours that he is to join the Finn to boost the development effort.

In much the same way as he shrugged aside reports of his imminent retirement earlier this season, he left the question dangling.

“There is no news”, he curtly replied, when asked directly if the rumours were true.

The career-long Honda rider’s name had been linked with the Austrian factory since before he announced his retirement at the German GP before the summer break, ever since it had been confirmed before round seven in Catalunya that he had lost his factory Honda rider to Jorge Lorenzo for next year.

While many believe his lengthy involvement with Honda, dating back to his 125cc debut in 2001, would suggest an obvious ambassadorial role, this it not Honda’s usual practice. At the same time, his depth of knowledge of Honda as well as his great experience would be worth a great deal to the Red Bull backed KTM team.

Long-term KTM tester Kallio has been out of action with serious knee injuries sustained in practice for the German GP before the summer break. His continued testing contract was confirmed in the break after the Misano GP.

Pedrosa, Czech MotoGP 2018

By Michael Scott

Photos GnG