Moto2: Rookie to MotoGP progression plan for KTM

As well as MotoGP, KTM will make their debut on the Moto2 grid in 2017 with a new bike built in collaboration with their in-house suspension partners WP, as they seek to address a crucial hole in their rider progression.

Previously unable to offer riders any career progression beyond the Moto3 class since the end of their 250GP team, the new project means the Austrian firm can now bring riders from feeder series Red Bull Rookies to the premiere class.

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And the first rider in line to make the step up will be South African Brad Binder, who will join 2015 Moto3 runner-up Miguel Olivera on the bikes in 2017, after signing a deal to remain with the Ajo Motorsport team that currently run the Red Bull KTM Moto3 squad.

Speaking to MCN at the Austrian Grand Prix, KTM boss Stefan Pierer says that it only makes sense that the firm can offer whole-career progression to the talent they discover.

“We’ve experienced all the big stars like Marquez and Stoner starting on KTMs, so the next step is Moto2 for us. It came out of the confusion of the MotoGP project – when we were looking around for riders. We’ll try to bring up the best riders – and the door to MotoGP is open to the two riders we have signed.”