KTM names Locatelli in 125 squad

KTM has named one of the riders it will field in the 2003 125GP season.

Roberto Locatelli, the 2000 125cc champion, returns to the minnow class after an indifferent 2002 season in the 250s. He’ll be joined by an as yet unnamed rider.

The team will ride under the Red Bull banner and it’ll be run by the seasoned Harald Bartol. Bartol, who has years of experience with the Yamaha, Derbi and Gilera Grand Prix teams, will be joined by Warren Willing, the crew chief and engineer who took Kenny Roberts to his 2000 500cc title on the Suzuki RCV.

KTM has already stated its intention to take a team into MotoGP by 2005. A move that it hopes will accelerate its development of road bikes to rival its successful off-road production.

The team will make its official presentation on November 1, just ahead of the final 2002 Grand Prix in Valencia.