KTM therefore embarked on the MotoGP adventure. The Mattighofen brand is already involved in Moto3 and Moto2, while its Red Bull Rookie Cup aims to be an incubator from which tomorrow's talents will emerge. An implication which is therefore on a large scale. With one ambition: that of winning. And not just to participate. Certainly, but not just any way or at any price. The boss Stefan pierer made a point of reminding us of this, now less than two weeks before the start of the 2019 season.
KTM will attack its third year in MotoGP. The RC16 project is therefore still young. And yet, already, the rumor persists according to which Marc Márquez could one day drive for the Austrians. When the Spaniard entered the 125cc class, he spent the first two years sitting on a KTM. In addition, sponsor Red Bull has always been by his side. Even today, the energy drink giant is prominently featured on the Honda. Marquez therefore has much closer ties with KTM and Red Bull than, for example, with Ducati or Yamaha.
Marc Coma, who has won the Dakar Rally multiple times for KTM and is the new brand manager for Spain, has already hinted that in 2018 he tried to remove Márquez to Honda in order to recruit him for his brand's MotoGP team. And it must be said that if Marc Márquez actually wanted a change of scenery, he would only have KTM as the most logical choice.
« It's fair to say that Marc Márquez is an exceptional driver ", said Stefan pierer, CEO of KTM. To the question relating to the fact that an offer was made to Márquez last year, Pierre answers : " At first it is always difficult to win. If we win, it's thanks to the pilot. If he doesn't win, the bike is to blame and you can only lose ". Then he specifies: “ I'm not talking about the pilot's salary. Even if Red Bull pays me, I prefer to put the money on the bike. But it will take a lot of patience ».
For the MotoGP project with two teams and four riders, KTM will invest 40 million euros this year. “ And like any investment, you need to get results », declares Pierre. " The investment is paying off, particularly for the emerging economies of Asia and Latin America, and we generate more than half of our revenues outside of Europe, where you have to be a large manufacturer and that requires the fact that you have to be in MotoGP ».
"We believe in ourselves, that's why we're here" 💬
What's the key of KTM's evolution during their first three years in #MotoGP? 🤔#QatarTest pic.twitter.com/2i8bqw6JMx
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Advertising and image are the key words. All motorcycle manufacturers participating in Grand Prix use MotoGP to promote their own brand. “ 25% of technology enters the series sooner or later "Adds Pierre. " And this is particularly important outside of Europe, because motorcycles and scooters are more common in Asia, India or South America than in Europe or the United States ».
« We make more than half of our sales outside of Europe and we are a global company. Our strategic partnership with Bajaj in India makes us one of the leading players in India ", said Pier, quoting figures: “ We sell 50 motorcycles in India. This is the reason why we have a rider like Hafizh Syahrin and this is why MotoGP is so important because he is seen there. This is part of the marketing strategy in Asia – like, for example, the Dakar Rally in South America ».
In 2021, Indonesia is expected to add a new country to the MotoGP calendar. But Pierre would like to see yet another one in the near future: “ you need to go where there is interest, that's Asia, India would be ideal too. Delhi has a circuit, and India alone will sell 19 million motorized two-wheelers this year. This relevant market is as large as Europe and the United States combined. In Europe, motorcyclists are getting older, it's Harley Davidson's problem, and racing arouses the interest of young peoples » ends the ambitious boss on motorsport total.
