At the end of last season, the plan was clear at KTM: Brad Binder was climbing into MotoGP and the torch would be taken up in Moto2 by Jorge Martin, even with a Kalex, but in the colors of Mattighofen. If the Spaniard did well, his promotion to RC16 would be studied very closely. A clear and assertive sector policy. Then there was the Coronavirus and the lockdown, stopping competition time and disrupting plans. Between Jorge Martin and KTM, relations have deteriorated with this possibility of entering the Ducati fold. Which got a little blurred today. But that’s not KTM’s problem anymore…
At KTM, we have a family spirit. Which means a special relationship with its pilots. When everything goes well, it's rewarding. But bad times are also, in this way, exacerbated. A flip side of the coin that emerges with the file George Martin. KTM, in fact, does not let what it considers a bad move pass.
Initially, KTM CEO Stefan pierer and the sports director Pete Beirer had already chosen the “Martinator” as a starter for the MotoGP world championship in 2021 at the Valencia Grand Prix. We know that the Austrians wanted to persuade him a year ago to succeed John Zarco in the four-rider MotoGP team in 2020. But Martin and his manager Albert Valera who also directs Jorge Lorenzo, wanted to win the Moto2 world championship before the class change.
Then in June, he suddenly changed course. Jorge Martin emerged as a rider highly desired by Ducati. What happened ? Valera and the Spanish former Moto3 World Champion decided, during confinement, and therefore outside of any competition, that the project KTM wouldn't be pretty enough...
“The only investment that managers make is the latest iPhone”
« MotoGP clause was part of Moto2 contract with Jorge Martin ", Explain Pete Beirer to Günther Wiesinger of speedweek. " It was his Moto2 contract that included this MotoGP deal. There was, however, a release clause for the rider if we were not in the top 10 of the MotoGP riders' championship at the end of June. So Jorge had the option to leave. His manager then claimed that KTM was not in the top ten. I answered : “mais nous ne sommes pas non plus en dehors du top dix, car nous n’avons pas encore participé à une course et c’est pourquoi il n’y a pas de classement de championnat.” Malheureusement, le pilote et le manager ne nous ont pas fait confiance. C’est pourquoi ils ont pris la sortie de secours ».
« We are not very enthusiastic about this manager's policy ", admits Beirer. " Because in the end, we are financing the entire Moto2 project in order to have riders in our group who will be promoted to MotoGP as soon as they are ready ". But KTM will give back the change… “ If someone lets us down in the coronavirus phase, then we'll think twice if we want this pilot back in the family at some point » warns Pit Beirer.
With the current results of an RC16 which won two Grands Prix out of five contested, Pete Beirer does not drink Red Bull but whey: “ we don't want to go back in time », he finishes. “ The fact is they didn't trust us. Managers make it easier for themselves. The only investment they make in the paddock is the latest iPhone. Then the teams are played against each other in order to drive up the market price. It's like that. Looking back, I say: I am now extremely happy with our driver choice for the coming year ».
From George Martin which seemed to have a assured future at Pramac Ducati is in competition with Aeneas Bastianini, Luca marini… And Johann zarco.
