2019 gets underway this Tuesday on the side of Valencia. On the Ricardo Tormo track, the drivers discover their new toy and get used to their new colors. But behind the scenes, negotiations also took place. The proof with Tech3 who is now KTM and who will walk hand in hand with the oil tanker Elf for three seasons...
An agreement that did not only concern MotoGP. It will also extend to Moto2. Elf, a Total brand, will therefore support the Tech3 team in its new challenge with the Austrian manufacturer KTM. The team ofHervé Poncharal enters the MotoGP category in 2019 with the riders Miguel Oliveira, Moto2 world vice-champion, and Hafiz Syahrin. In the Moto2 category, these are the two rookies Marco Bezzecchi et Philipp Ottl who will ride for the Red Bull Tech3-KTM.
Pierre-Gautier Caloni, Vice President of Total Competition and Sponsoring, is delighted with this collaboration: “ behind the Tech3 team is a man – Hervé Poncharal – with whom we love working. When he founded his team 30 years ago, he established a benchmark and symbol in Grand Prix racing " , did he declare.
« With Tech3 we also have the opportunity to work with KTM: a young and ambitious manufacturer which is the European market leader. I am sure that together we can achieve the results that are part of our potential and at the same time develop our products and know-how " , he added.
Rookies ride ✊
@OliveiraMoto2 can officially change his twitter handle after getting his hands on the @ Tech3Racing KTM 😉#ValenciaTest pic.twitter.com/uE9NswND1l
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 20, 2018
« For a team like Tech3 that competes in the MotoGP and Moto2 categories, it is an honor to wear the Elf logo, especially since we are both French" , said Poncharal, the leader of the Tech3 team.
« More than a new partnership, it is a return home, because Elf was the partner of Tech3 in 1995, the year when Jean-Philippe Ruggia and Olivier Jacque started for us in the 250cc category. Later, in 2001 and 2002, we entered the upper class with the support of Elf. Elf fuels and lubricants will help us raise the bar in our new adventure with KTM. For Tech3, 2019 is an exciting year for more than one reason. "
