Rennie Scaysbrook | February 20, 2017
Red Bull KTM looking to hit the ground running in Qatar
It’ll be pretty hard to miss the Red Bull KTM team on track this season!
The Red Bull KTM team’s livery has formally been unveiled in a ceremony in Austria earlier today.
The 2017 season marks the first time KTM has participated in the highest level of road racing in an official capacity, with former Tech3 Yamaha riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith charged with the development of the RC16.
“Why MotoGP? Well, this came to us from the market,” said KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. “Three years ago we overtook our competitor BMW in terms of sales, and we became the third biggest manufacturer of sports motorcycles in the world. I talked to Pit (Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director), and he set up a perfect program. His priority was to set up the infrastructure here with all the know-how, and all the people. I think it’s the benchmark worldwide and with this three-year program we did our homework and now it’s getting real.”
Pol Espargaro’s weapon. This will be the Spaniard’s first ever MotoGP factory ride.
“We are very experienced in racing but of course to enter at this level of MotoGP is another dimension for our whole company,” said Pit Beirer. “But we love pressure because we are racers, so it’s nothing special for us to handle. Of course the last weeks and months have been an adventure and a huge effort by the whole company, so I have to say thank you to our board and Mr. Pierer for putting their trust in us so we should prepare to enter MotoGP.
For riders Smith and Espargaro, it marks the first time for either rider they will be in a factory MotoGP team, and they know that despite the project being all new, there is pressure to deliver results for the high profile team.
“It’s beautiful, and riding the bike is beautiful. It feels really good,” said Espargaro. “We are making huge steps forward, and we’re improving. Every time we jump on the bike we are closer to the others, and it is great to see the evolution.”
“This is something that you have always wished for and that you’ve worked for throughout your career,” said Smith. “Finally, when you get the opportunity, there’s the pressure that goes with it, but I certainly embrace the opportunity I have. Pol and I and all the team will be working incredibly hard. We’ve been busy with the winter tests, and this is just the beginning. I’m excited to see what 2017 brings.”
Antonelli (left) and Bendsneyder (right) will be Moto3 title favorites.
Also unveiled were KTM’s Moto3 and all new Moto2 teams, with current Moto3 World Champion, South Africa’s Brad Binder, headlining the Moto2 outfit. He’ll be joined by Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira, while the Moto3 outfit will host Italian Niccolo Antonelli and Dutchman Bo Bendsneyder.
