Marco Bezzecchi
KTM have finally received approval from their creditors for their restructuring plans. This is a major boost for the company and its MotoGP programme.
The Austrian outfit can now begin the reproduction of road bikes and pay off 30% of the debt they own to creditors by the end of May. The figure comes to around 548 million euros (roughly £454.7 million).
KTM had received competition from hedge fund Whitebox who sought to take control of the company. Holding some of the debts themselves, they tried to convince creditors with their proposed 45% rather than KTM’s 30%.
Whitebox’s takeover offered ‘no guarantee’ the MotoGP project would survive. However, creditors have ruled in KTM’s favour, giving security, for now at least, for their four factory riders.
The issue now surrounds the company finding investors to help pay off the outstanding debt. Several parties have been interested over the last few months.
One of those is German car and motorbike manufacturer BMW, who have expressed their interest to join the premier class over the past year.
KTM manager dismisses BMW takeover rumours as ‘fake news’
BMW’s takeover of KTM, according to oe24, would see the German manufacturer move the operation out of Austria. Subsequently, all 4,500 of KTM’s staff would be laid off at the end of 2025.
If BMW were successful, it is unclear whether they would rebrand the team or keep KTM’s orange bikes on the grid. Nevertheless, with creditors approving the restructuring plan, it does not appear likely to happen.
KTM will not be sold to BMW ‘for the time being,’ with any offers not being ‘evaluated’ at this time. However, one KTM manager gave a rather blunt response to the rumours of BMW’s interest.
As per GPOne, the anonymous manager disregarded the takeover proposal as ‘fake news’, with the bid never being ‘taken seriously by KTM: “We’re not looking for an investor who wants to close this site,” they said.
KTM’s restructuring plan approval will be key in keeping Pedro Acosta
KTM have reiterated they are committed to racing up until the 2027 season. But there have been concerns from the MotoGP programme, particularly from star rider Pedro Acosta.
The Spaniard has been seeking answers from the company over the winter about whether he can be competitive in 2025. Acosta can take some assurances from the plans’ approval but pre-season left something to be desired.
Acosta’s bike may be a rider safety issue after he suffered severe wear to the rear tyre during testing in Buriram. Despite the issue, the 20-year-old was consistently the quickest KTM rider.
It is clear the Austrian manufacturer have to keep hold of the Spaniard for the long term. But Pol Espargaro says Acosta’s wages are ‘difficult’ to sustain with their financial crisis – they could risk losing him if they cannot solve their problems.
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