Marco Bezzecchi
KTM have been testing against the backdrop of the company’s financial crisis this winter. Estimates vary, but the consensus is that they are in ten figures of debt.
While this isn’t the fault of the MotoGP operation, it has naturally come under threat. KTM’s slogan is ‘Ready to Race’ but their future in motorsport is in doubt as cost-cutting measures are explored.
In these circumstances, it’s difficult for the riders and team members to stay focused. The public narrative has been business as usual, with KTM reporting to Sepang and now Buriram for pre-season along with the four other manufacturers.
Pedro Acosta visited the KTM factory with his manager over the winter to understand what was happening. He was apparently satisfied by what he heard.
But Tech3 rider Enea Bastianini wouldn’t have signed a KTM deal if he knew the truth of their situation. That’s according to his former manager Carlo Pernat.
Pit Beirer’s team want to be the main challengers to Ducati this season. They finished second in the constructors’ last year, but only fifth in the teams’ standings – behind rivals Aprilia.
KTM launch media blackout for Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder at Buriram Test
Acosta was fifth-fastest on day one at the Buriram International Circuit, just over seven-tenths off pace-setter Marc Marquez. Teammate Brad Binder was also inside the top 10.
Binder walked away unscathed after crashing at turn five, but he won’t be able to explain the incident to the media. The team have decided not to hold any media scrums in Thailand.
Journalist Simon Patterson called this an ‘unprecedented’ step and accused them of showing a ‘middle finger’ to the fans of their riders. Their motivation is unclear.
It will be difficult, if not impossible, to gauge the optimism levels in the garage ahead of the new season. KTM. There may still be press releases with rider quotes, but these are of course heavily controlled.
What KTM insiders are now saying about their future in MotoGP
KTM’s satellite team Tech3 are proceeding as normal, so they will be able to offer some insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the updated RC16. At the moment, they don’t sound especially hopeful.
Nicolas Goyon doesn’t expect Tech3 to challenge for podiums, certainly in the early rounds of the season. Based on his starring performances last year, Acosta may be able to extract more from the bike, but it sounds as if KTM have fallen short of expectations so far.
Of course, their competitive fortunes matter little compared to their future in the series. And there’s been a key update on that front this week.
KTM insiders are ‘convinced’ that their restricting plan will succeed, thereby saving the MotoGP operation. Creditors will vote on the plan just before the end of the month.
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