Ex-KTM boss targeted two MotoGP world champions over Maverick Vinales, ‘I’m telling you the truth…’

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KTM have secured themselves a solid rider line-up for the next two seasons. However, it could have looked a lot different.

The Austrian manufacturer are looking to build to the top of MotoGP. While their ongoing financial crisis as put their future in the sport in doubt, KTM managed to tie down four strong riders for the future.

Brad Binder was retained by the factory team, while Pedro Acosta was promoted from Tech3 after his incredible debut season in 2024. At the satellite team, KTM signed factory Ducati and Aprilia riders Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales.

All four KTM riders have factory contracts until 2026 as the manufacturer looks to move Tech3 closer to the main operation – hence why both teams have similar liveries. So far in 2025, it has been a difficult season for the project.

The RC16’s chatter issue is still prominent this season and it has hampered KTM’s performances. However, the manufacturer have found some strong improvements, with all four riders finishing inside the top 10 at the Grand Prix of Spain.

Acosta remains the top rider, but Tech3’s Vinales is beginning to find his feet at KTM with brilliant displays in Qatar and Jerez. The Spaniard’s experience will be invaluable to the team, but former boss Francesco Guidotti had his sights on two MotoGP champions for 2025.

Ex-KTM boss Francesco Guidotti was targeting Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin to join KTM over Maverick Vinales

The MotoGP rider market was perhaps at its most chaotic state in 2024, when champion Jorge Martin became available following his exit from Pramac.

Six-time champion Marc Marquez also found himself back on the market. After he left Honda from satellite team Gresini in 2024, it was clear he would not remain there for 2025.

While Guidotti has ‘nothing against’ KTM signing Bastianini and Vinales, he was looking to focus on either Marquez and Martin. They would both slip from his fingers as they joined Ducati and Aprilia respectively.

“I’m telling you the truth, I have nothing, absolutely nothing against this choice here, but my strategy was completely different,” he said via TalkGP di Fabio Fagnani.

“Because there was both Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin available and my idea was to focus on at least one of them.

“When you have a Martin and Acosta, Binder, the fourth can be whoever you want. Since it would have been feasible, but for reasons that I honestly prefer not to say yet, both Martin and Marquez were not in the will of the owners.

“The negotiations were diverted to Bastianini and Vinales, but I repeat, seeing what Vinales is doing, I have nothing against them.”

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Pedro Acosta’s future at KTM grows more uncertain at the Spanish Grand Prix

While Guidotti has different plans for KTM this season, Acosta needed to be tied down for the long term. Acosta’s form in 2024 was ‘dangerous’ as he was attracting interest from rival teams.

However, with the manufacturer’s difficulties behind the scenes and on the track, Acosta has been getting increasingly frustrated. Crashing twice so far this season, the 20-year-old is 10th in the standings with 33 points,

The likes of VR46 and Honda have been linked with the Spaniard – Acosta’s buyout clause in his contract would cost £4.3m for him to leave KTM early.

VR46 are not telling the truth about their interest in Acosta, as while they say they want to sign the 20-year-old, they cannot afford to buy him out of KTM. Honda seem the most likely destination for the Spaniard if he decides to move.

However, he has constantly reiterated his commitment to KTM. Acosta made a brilliant gesture in Jerez when asked about his future as he tapped the KTM logo, seemingly highlighting his desire to see out his contract.