KTM to debut RC8 R in 2009 German superbike series

KTM has taken to its first steps towards a World Superbike assault in 2010 with the Austrian factory confirming today it will enter the German Superbike championship next season.

German Stefan Nebel and Belgian Didier Van Keymeulen will race the 1190 RC8 R twin-cylinder machine after KTM gathered initial experience in the 2008 Superstock 1000 World Cup.

Nebel has already won the Superbike IDM title three times, while Van Keymeulen won the 2005 FIM Superstock 1000 World Championship and he collected top ten results in the 2008 World Supersport series.

The experienced technician and team manager, Konrad Hefele, will head the newly formed Superbike team.

“I am convinced that with the RC8 R and our small but highly motivated team we can give a good account of ourselves in the high-class IDM series. Even though a great deal of work still lies ahead of us in the coming five months, we are already looking forward with enthusiasm and excitement to the first race of the season,” said Hefele.

Under the leadership of the RC8 project manager, Wolfgang Felber, KTM has set up a test team parallel to the German-based race team. Its job will be to carry out further development work during the 2009 season.

The RC8 R will debut on April 24 at the Lausitzring in Germany.