KTM🦂 has revealed that a clutch problem initiated Pol 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-mate Bradley Sm▨ith 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 sℱmoking."

"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 some 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 𓆏unlucky today. 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 parts to t🌄est in Le Mans and after that we race in Jerez, where we have already been with the KTM. I feel something good is coming but we need to be patient."

Smith, who also scored a point in Argentina, went onꦯ to finish in 16th place.

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