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