KIWI RIDER 08 2019 VOL.2 | Page 86

HUSKY INTO MOTO3-KTM OUT OF MOTO2 A fter a five-year absence from the road- racing grid, Husqvarna Motorcycles has announced that the Austro-Swedish brand will make its return to GP racing via the Moto3 World Championship. Husqvarna has announced it will officially join the Moto3 World Championship in 2020. After five years away, Husqvarna will return to top level road racing in the Moto3 World Championship with an official team composed of two riders. The news of Husqvarna’s return comes off the back of parent company KTM AG announcing a renewed focus for the MotoGP and Moto3 championships with a revised presence in Moto2. will reshape their perspective in the following two areas. KTM continues to make promising gains in the MotoGP class where the quest for single-digit race results in the fiercely competitive contest remains on-track. The brand is a firm believer in the educational role of Moto3. The company’s young heritage started in the best possible way with the first two titles in 2012 (Sandro Cortese) and 2013 (Maverick Viñales), and another in 2016 with Brad Binder and KTM wishes to enforce this initial rung into Grand Prix racing. “We made a proactive decision here at our home grand prix to renew our stay in MotoGP and KTM AG CEO Stefan Pierer and Dorna Sports CEO commit to another five years of competition, says KTM CEO, Stefan Pierer. “This is part of a wider Carmelo Ezpeleta inked a fresh contract for KTM strategic view and we now have seven years to to remain as part of the MotoGP grid for another rise towards the top of the MotoGP class; the five years at the Red Bull Ring for the myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich last weekend. same period of time we needed to conquer the Dakar Rally. We know we are firmly on the way The existing agreement will now extend to a total and have made good steps in less than three of seven years from the current campaign: KTM’s years already. As part of this outlook we want to third as part of the high profile MotoGP series. boost Moto3: it is the foundation and the base With the pledge to MotoGP confirmed, KTM has of road racing for us. It is where we began and realigned its output in the support categories by where we are one of the leading brands. We see placing principle emphasis on MotoGP and Moto3. a very good opportunity here by bringing back Europe’s leading manufacturer will maintain its Husqvarna with force; there will be a new bike carefully constructed ‘road to MotoGP’ ladder and a special direction with this project. All of this from the new Northern Talent Cup (for 2020) and movement means we will pool our resources and through the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and energy and as a consequence, we will step out of the subsequent divisions up until MotoGP, but Moto2.” 86 KIWI RIDER