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Mika Kallio is to be KTM’s test rider to help with the development of the company’s MotoGP bike. The 32-year-old Finnish rider is to make a return to the Austrian manufacturer and work to get the KTM RC16 ready for its debut season in MotoGP in 2017.

Kallio has a long association with the Austrian marque. He rode for them for four seasons both in 125s and 250s, finishing as runner up twice in the junior class, most controversially in 2005, when he lost out to Tom Luthi by five points after his erstwhile KTM teammate Gabor Talmasci stole the win from him at Qatar.

You cannot deny the fact that Colin Edwards has a new found strength since joining the Yamaha satellite team Tech3. The YZR-M1, which was developed with substantial input from Valentino Rossi, has found further refinement in the Monster Tech3 garage with the help from Edwards. Already known as a good development rider, Edwards may see an offer from Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal to continue test riding, after the Texan’s racing career has concluded.