Shakey out of MotoGP

KTM has announced it will not supply engines to the Team Roberts MotoGP squad which currently fields British rider Shane Byrne.

The Austrian firm will continue in the 125cc and 250cc classes, with the expansion of the 250cc team to two riders in 2006.

The decision is partly due to the 800cc limit for MotoGP which will begin in 2007. This means the current 990cc, V4 engine will be made redundant in two years, and the investment needed to make this motor successful for such a short period was not seen as worth it.

The Austrian firm also intended to simply operate as an engine supplier in 2005, but has made funding available for Team Roberts, including contracting and paying Shakey, and funding the supply of Michelin tyres. A lack of sponsorship for the team has made these costs increase.

To find out what this means for former British Superbike champion Byrne, see MCN, out Wednesday, August 17, 2005.