It's not really a surprise coming to us from KTM, but it always gets better by making it official. The Mattighofen firm thus announces that it will continue its MotoGP epic until 2026. Hervé Poncharal will be happy about this and sees himself confirmed in his role as a privileged ally with his Tech3 troops who will pamper two RC16s. These will be added to the two other officials. Which means that the hypothesis, raised for a moment, of six Austrian motorcycles fizzled out…
In the cold of the off-season, KTM had warmed us up furtively while not excluding seeing the men of Valentino Rossi take care of two other RC16s, which would therefore have been six, in a new lease concluded with the promoter Dorna until 2026. We will remain with four motorcycles among the Austrians, which has been enough until then to obtain three victories in a 2020 season which remains the best of the brand in MotoGP until now.
On the continuation of the adventure, Pete Beirer, director of KTM Motorsport, said: “ I am extremely happy to be able to announce this new five-year contract with Dorna. I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank Dorna, as well as Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta and his entire team, because we have already spent four great years together and they are a truly professional partner in this important sport ».
« After just a few seasons we have put this project on a very solid foundation, so it is a positive step to continue our commitment to MotoGP until 2026 » adds the same Beirer. KTM stood out in 2020, which was his fourth season in MotoGP after his debut in 2017, winning three victories divided between Olive tree, winner on two occasions, and the rookie Brad Binder, While Pol Espargaro stood on the podium five times to reach fifth place overall in the championship.
An exercise which follows an intense period of development until 2020, led by the former Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, who arrived in 2019 as a test pilot, in support of a Mika Kallio who has never failed. “ Entering MotoGP was a big step towards a great championship and we knew everything was against us, but the energy, ideas and desire were never lacking ", added Hubert Trunkenpolz, Member of the Board of Management of KTM AG (CMO).
KTM: “some promising projects to come”
« In just four years, we've become part of the establishment and pushed orange higher up the rankings. We are proud of the profile and prestige we have gained not only in MotoGP, but also in making an impact at this level. We can see the influence of MotoGP's success throughout the company as well as the importance of the brand on the global stage. We are only too happy to continue to be part of the MotoGP paddock with our current structure and some promising projects to come. ».
The press release of KTM does not mention its projects in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories. After withdrawing its chassis from Moto2 competition, KTM remains present as main sponsor of the Ajo Motorsport team, while in Moto3, its chassis remain in contention and will also be registered under the brands GASGAS et Husqvarna which KTM possesses.
In MotoGP, KTM loses Pol I will espargaro left for Repsol Honda and Olive tree as the new leader while Petrucci arrives from Ducati to settle at Tech3. Brad Binder, winner in Brno, and Iker Lecuona are the other drivers of the KTM family who should less sport their long-time partner: Red Bull.
