ROAD NEWS
HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW POPE MOBILE?
No, we are not kidding. Well, maybe a little bit. It isn’ t actually the Pope’ s new wheels but a fund-raiser that, with Pope Leo XIV’ s blessing and signature, will be auctioned off for charity. Resplendent with the Vatican coat of arms, the collaboration between BMW Motorrad, refined by Motorrad dealer, Witzel, and customised by Thomas Draxler, founder of JESUS-BIKER, the mother of pearl white custom BMW R 18 Transcontinental will be auctioned by Missio Austria via Sotheby’ s this month. The concept has built up speed as it has been in several publicity rides and now, with the autograph, is set to sell for a pretty penny.
NEW ERA AT KTM MOTOGP
Red Bull KTM Tech3 has new owners.
Guenther Steiner leads the acquisition of the entire operation as CEO with Richard Coleman as Team Principal, including Moto3. Current and founding team principal, Herve Poncharal will continue in his role, transitioning in 2026 as the new operation kicks off to a consultant role. Previously involved in F1, Steiner will retain the contracts in place and the team base will remain. So 2026 is even more of a season of change than first thought. Then the team will, like the rest of the paddock, be turning their focus to the massive changes that come into play as the premier class evolves into the 850cc era. Steiner’ s Massive experience in several top teams in the most advanced race class on the planet bodes well for MotoGP as he will bring experience and contacts from the F1 world to the Red Bull KTM MotoGP team at a vital time.
KIWI RIDER 85