This Austrian Grand Prix was not only marked by departures and defections for KTM. Of course, there was the announcement of the end of the Moto2 adventure and, above all, there was the announcement of the amicable divorce with Johann Zarco. But there was also the essential: the extension of the MotoGP commitment until 2026. The kind of delay that it took for KTM to conquer the Dakar. This is promising!
Dorna Sports is delighted to announce that KTM has approved a deal that extends its presence in MotoGP until at least 2026. Stefan pierer (CEO of KTM) and Carmelo Ezpeleta (CEO of Dorna Sports) finalized it during the weekend of Austrian Grand Prix, on a route of the Red Bull Ring which is the home of the Mattighofen brand.
KTM made his premier class debut in 2017 with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team. Since then, the manufacturer has scored a podium in Valencia and a first row in Brno. In 2019, the Austrian brand doubled its workforce there, joining forces with Red Bull KTM Tech3. The independent structure will have also placed one of its pilots in the Top 10, on KTM territory.
KTM continues to strengthen its commitment to MotoGP, a category on which it wishes to place emphasis in the same way as Moto3. The firm also wishes to maintain these springboards which are also the new Northern Talent Cup and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. There will still be some changes with the withdrawal of KTM as a chassis manufacturer in Moto2 and the return of the brand Husqvarna who last raced – in Moto3 – in 2014/2015, recording two podiums.
Stefan Pierer, CEO – KTM :
« On the sidelines of our Grand Prix, we decided to return for five seasons in MotoGP. This is part of a broader strategy. We now have seven years ahead of us to reach the heights of MotoGP, the time it took us to conquer the Dakar. We are extremely committed and in the space of three years, we have already made enormous progress. Furthermore, we want to strengthen Moto3™, which for us is the very basis of competition. This is where we started and where we are one of the reference brands. We see this Husqvarna return as a good opportunity. It will be a new bike and a special direction with this project. To put all our resources into this project, we have therefore decided to leave Moto2 ».
Pit Beirer, Director – KTM Motorsport :
« Above all, it's fantastic for us to be able to continue in MotoGP, a category where we are very determined to achieve our goals. With our experience through various Championships, we know the ingredients necessary for success. As such, I would like to thank Mr. Pierer and the KTM AG Board of Directors for this vote of confidence, as well as everyone involved in this project for the work accomplished so far. Furthermore, we examined our entire program and we became aware of the need to concentrate our efforts on certain points. In this case, we believe that the MotoGP and Moto3 categories are the ones that move us forward. Thanks to the excellent work and experience acquired with Aki, we will still be able to maintain a link with Moto2, the final step before moving to MotoGP. We are also convinced that we will be able to take advantage of this advantage, even if we withdraw as a chassis manufacturer. It is in places like the Red Bull Ring that we can feel the passion of MotoGP and it is a real source of energy for us. We believe that beautiful things await us ».
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports:
« I am very proud that KTM is renewing its commitment to MotoGP for another five years. We are very happy with our relationship. Furthermore, they share the same vision as us regarding the future of the Championship. Since KTM arrived in MotoGP, they have impressed everyone with their dedication and the progress they have made. We are delighted to have such a dense grid in MotoGP and each brand contributes to its success. Our goal is to put on a show for fans every weekend! ».
