Marco Bezzecchi
KTM and Tech3 revealed their liveries for the 2025 MotoGP season on Thursday morning. And the most striking detail is that both are essentially identical.
This marks them out from the other MotoGP outfits who have unveiled their new bikes. At Ducati, Gresini have retained their light blue look, with VR46 in a distinctive yellow, marking them out from the all-red factory squad.
Aprilia’s livery is large the same as last year, but Trackhouse have adopted a bold blue and yellow design for their second season. The two Japanese manufacturers will remove the covers in the next couple of days, with Honda affiliates LCR bringing launch season to an end on 8 February.
Tech3 have spent the last two seasons racing predominantly red bikes thanks to title sponsors GASGAS. But that arrangement has now come to an end.
KTM partners Red Bull have now taken over that mantle. Like their rivals, Tech3 ran with a predominantly plain bike in the post-season test in Barcelona as Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini made their debuts.
But Thursday’s launch photos confirm that they will race in KTM colours next year. One of the few distinctions between the two bikes is the sponsor near the pedals – Tech3 are displaying the Motul logo, while the factory squad are aligned with Mobil1.
Maverick Vinales declares himself a big fan of Tech3’s MotoGP livery
Many MotoGP fans aren’t happy with the KTM and Tech3 liveries, and understandably so. Watching on the TV broadcast, it will be difficult to tell them apart.
All four riders will be riding 2025 spec machinery, creating the potential for some close – and confusing – battles at the front. Indeed, just two points separated Brad Binder (217) and Pedro Acosta (215) last year.
Acosta steps up to the factory squad this season, replacing Jack Miller. Vinales and Bastianini, who boast 17 Grand Prix victories between them, form an all-new line-up at Tech3.
Writing on his Instagram story, Vinales delivered an enthused verdict on Tech3’s paintwork. He simply used one word: “Obsessed.”
Why Tech3 boss was concerned about Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales partnership
Vinales has taken a risk by leaving Aprilia for 2025. He was the only non-Ducati rider to win a race last year, taking victory at the Circuit of the Americas.
On paper, it looks like a sideways move – KTM finished just 25 points ahead of Aprilia in last year’s constructors’ standings. In reality, it might be even worse.
The company has entered a process of self-administration in its native Austria, with billions in unpaid debt. This has cast its long-term future into serious doubt.
Top Gun passed up the opportunity to partner the world champion Jorge Martin at Noale. Tech3 chief Herve Poncharal was concerned that his new riders would be underwhelmed by the bike, but they delivered positive initial feedback following the Barcelona test.
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