KTM Prioritizes Proven Talent Over Rookie Development for MotoGP 2025: Vinales and Bastianini to Join Tech3

Why KTM Preferred Experienced Riders Over a Development Program for MotoGP 2025

‘The decision was straightforward: we aimed for immediate results rather than initiating another development scheme. Frankly, I also don't see a suitable candidate in Moto2 at this moment’.

Since 2019, when Tech3 partnered with KTM, the Austrian manufacturer has introduced six newcomers to Herve Poncharal’s team: Miguel Oliveira in 2019, Iker Lecuona in 2020, Raul Fernandez in 2021, Remy Gardner also in 2021, Augusto Fernandez in 2022, and Pedro Acosta in 2023.

The Tech3 team started the season with riders Fernandez and Acosta, who together are just 45 years old, have only one season of MotoGP experience between them, and have yet to achieve a MotoGP podium finish.

However, these statistics are expected to shift significantly by 2025

The new pairing of Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini brings a total age of 57 years, 14 years of combined experience in MotoGP, and currently boasts 15 MotoGP victories and 47 podium finishes across various bikes including Yamaha, Aprilia, Suzuki, and Ducati.

To understand the magnitude of this change, the upcoming KTM factory team featuring Brad Binder and Acosta has collectively achieved 2 MotoGP victories and 13 podium finishes using KTM bikes.

KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer has acknowledged that, following the agreements with Vinales and Bastianini, it is evident they are unable to provide a young rider with a spot in MotoGP for the upcoming two years.

Acosta is the third consecutive Moto2 champion to step up to MotoGP with KTM, following Gardner and Augusto Fernandez. However, he is the first among them to secure a podium finish and lead the RC16 campaign in the rankings.

“If you want to know my wish, it would definitely be to have riders from our own 'Academy' who are competitive at the top level,” Beirer said.

"You can observe the complexity and challenges of MotoGP. To make a direct entry into MotoGP worthwhile, you undoubtedly need an exceptional rookie."

"Pedro has demonstrated that it can be done."

"However, we faced challenges in the past as well. Transitioning to MotoGP can be extremely difficult, even for a Moto2 world champion."

"If you consider the overall spending in the MotoGP category, imagine a budget of several million and split it into four. Each rider's setup is worth multiple millions…"

"I believe that in MotoGP, you no longer have the luxury of time to embark on something akin to an educational initiative."

"It's crucial to deliver a strong performance, not only for gaining publicity but also to maintain the overall quality of the team."

To have a winning rider in the team, you must have four skilled riders because you need immediate data starting from Friday morning to prepare for the second practice session.

"We decided it would be better to choose GP winners to advance the entire project and motivate one another."

"I believe Pedro and Brad will gain advantages from having two additional skilled cyclists."

"It was an obvious choice to focus on achieving results rather than starting another training program. Frankly, I don't think the next person is prepared yet."

"If we had someone like Pedro in our Moto2 team who was prepared to advance, we would definitely promote him right away. However, we don't believe anyone is ready for that next year or the year after."

"Therefore, we needed to prioritize the rider's experience."

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team, featuring Celestino Vietti and newcomer Deniz Oncu, is ranked 10th and 23rd, respectively, in the current standings.

Fermin Aldeguer is the sole Moto2 competitor who has secured a spot in MotoGP for the next season, with his team still to be announced but will be riding a Ducati.

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