Pedro Acosta's Opinion on KTM's Uncertain MotoGP Prospects

Young Racer Unfazed by KTM's Economic Challenges at 20

Pedro Acosta has provided a composed update regarding his mood in light of the uncertainty surrounding KTM's future in MotoGP, stating that it "does not impact" him.

The Austrian company is currently experiencing a financial crisis, prompting it to undergo a restructuring process in an effort to avoid going bankrupt.

The company is believed to owe more than €3 billion, but a recent meeting with creditors provided some hopeful outlook for the brand's future.

Further information: MotoGP could benefit from welcoming F1 legend Hamilton if KTM's acquisition takes place.

The company has been permitted to proceed with its restructuring process, and it has attracted interest from external investors amounting to €700 million.

In an interview with Speedweek not long ago, Pit Beirer, the head of motorsport at KTM, revealed that there were actual discussions involving the brand and the management of Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, regarding a possible investment.

However, the future of KTM in MotoGP is still unclear.

KTM has announced that it will continue competing in 2025. However, during the initial meeting with creditors, it was also mentioned that there is an intention to exit grand prix racing, with this withdrawal expected to occur in 2026.

This situation has sparked discussions regarding the prospects of KTM's racers, especially the standout newcomer for 2024, Acosta, who achieved nine top-three finishes in his first season with the Tech3 team, which races under the GASGAS name.

He joins KTM's official team with Brad Binder after signing a contract that extends over several years starting in 2025.

Albert Valera, who manages Acosta, expressed his dissatisfaction with the circumstances during an appearance on the 'Por Orejas' podcast. He stated, "Back in May, we partnered with a company that appeared to be well-positioned to compete with Ducati. Now, the situation is completely different, and we're left questioning what transpired."

During a Pont Grup event, Acosta has taken steps to ease the atmosphere.

According to Marca, he expressed his satisfaction about advancing to the main team, which had been their goal from the start.

"The goal is to refine a few aspects of the motorcycle and aim for steady performance in races to compete for improved outcomes."

He mentioned, "The present circumstances facing KTM have no impact on us whatsoever, and I am confident they will overcome it."

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Marc Marquez: Joining Factory Ducati provides “two strong opportunities” for championship contention

The eight-time world champion sets sights on MotoGP 2025.

Marc Marquez believes that joining the official Ducati squad has provided him with "two excellent chances" to pursue additional MotoGP world championships.

The 31-year-old Spanish rider is back with Ducati as a factory team member after spending a year competing for the satellite team, Gresini.

Marquez's stint with Gresini allowed him to regain the performance level he had been missing in recent years, which had been impacted by injuries and the uncompetitiveness of the Honda.

Marquez has expressed that the 2024 season with Gresini gave him a chance to "start anew," following his three grand prix victories and securing a spot with the Ducati factory team for 2025.

In a recent discussion with TVE, Marquez, who has officially become a factory Ducati rider starting January 1, shares his thoughts on the upcoming 2025 season.

According to Marca, he stated that "2025 and 2026 will be two excellent opportunities."

"We're unsure if these will be our final opportunities, but they represent two strong chances to compete for the championship. Being part of the top team, we'll put in our full effort."

"Initially, we have the pre-season to get through, but it's evident that starting with excitement is always the approach."

Accidents are an inevitable aspect of our sport, but my hope is that no one gets hurt.

"As for my objectives, I definitely aim to compete for the world championship right up until the final races."

In his first appearance for the factory Ducati team, Marquez participated in the Barcelona post-season test last November. During this event, he rode both the GP24 and GP25 models, following his 2024 season on the GP23.

He was promoted to the factory Ducati team, which resulted in the reigning world champion, Jorge Martin, losing his spot and moving to Aprilia instead.

In 2025, Pramac will change to using Yamaha equipment because Ducati reversed its initial decision to advance Martin.

On January 20, Ducati and Marquez are set to reveal the 2025 Desmosedici's new livery during their season launch event in Italy.

During the off-season, Marquez announced that he would be ending his long-standing sponsorship with Red Bull. This change is due to his transition to the Ducati team, which is supported by Monster Energy.

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Johann Zarco anticipated feeling more sorrowful as he concluded his first year with Honda in MotoGP. However, he remarked that the experience turned out to be more optimistic than he initially thought it would be.

Johann Zarco of LCR confessed that he had expected to feel more disappointed about concluding his debut MotoGP season on the Honda, but he wasn't as upset as he had anticipated.

The former MotoGP race victor exchanged the top-performing Ducati bike for a two-year deal with Honda's factory team. Starting in 2024, he will race for LCR.

Discover more: Honda's Discovery of its Genuine MotoGP Leader for 2024

Despite securing a single victory in 2023, Honda experienced a significant decline in performance throughout the season. The struggles with the bike's competitiveness ultimately contributed to Marc Marquez's decision to leave the team at the end of the year and transition to the Gresini Ducati team.

In 2024, Honda experienced its third season without any victories within a five-year span. Despite this, Zarco stood out as the team's most impressive rider, particularly demonstrating strong performances in the latter part of the year.

Frequently making it into Q2, Zarco achieved Honda’s top performance of the year by finishing eighth in Thailand, effectively maximizing the potential of several bike improvements.

At the conclusion of the year, he was Honda's leading racer, finishing 17th overall with a total of 55 points.

Looking back on his initial year with HRC, Zarco confesses that a year ago, he anticipated being more disappointed with his performance than he currently is.

Last November in Barcelona, Zarco expressed that the season's conclusion was more favorable than he had anticipated.

"Additionally, a year ago, I anticipated feeling more upset, but I'm actually much happier than I thought I would be."

"That's a positive development. It happened when I started achieving better outcomes in Indonesia, and then when I was able to consistently replicate those results, I focused on improving my riding style."

"This project was yielding results on the track, which increased my motivation. It made me realize that I've unlocked new opportunities, and I'm confident I can become much stronger by exploring these discoveries."

Zarco will continue with the LCR team for the 2025 season, keeping Honda's lineup mostly the same. Their factory team will still feature Joan Mir and Luca Marini.

Somkiat Chantra is set to move up from the Moto2 class to join the LCR team for his first season in the premier class, partnering with Zarco. He will be taking over from Takaaki Nakagami.

Nakagami has joined Honda's testing squad, where he will work with Aleix Espargaro.

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EXCLUSIVE: Davide Brivio reveals insights into the collaboration between Trackhouse and Aprilia

"We discuss ways to enhance our performance and identify areas for improvement…"

Davide Brivio, the manager of the Trackhouse Racing team, praised the strong partnership with Aprilia's MotoGP team, emphasizing that they work together completely.

In 2023, Aprilia established a satellite team through a partnership with RNF. This collaboration became possible after the American company Trackhouse took control of RNF last year when the previous setup fell apart.

Trackhouse achieved a podium finish in the sprint race held in Germany and secured their highest grand prix placement by finishing sixth at the Catalan Grand Prix. However, injuries and a mid-season change of motorcycle for Raul Fernandez were factors that led to the team ending up in ninth place in the overall standings.

Nevertheless, the connection between Trackhouse and Aprilia has grown even stronger, with Fernandez and newcomer Ai Ogura set to ride full factory bikes in 2025.

When Trackhouse entered MotoGP, it sought to establish a factory partnership with Aprilia, similar to the collaboration Pramac maintained with Ducati until the conclusion of 2024.

Brivio, who made his comeback to MotoGP last year with the team owned by Justin Marks, commented on the partnership between Trackhouse and Aprilia during an interview with Crash.net: "Certainly, we have a strong connection with Aprilia."

"To begin with, we currently have identical bikes, and notably, in 2025, we will kick off the season with completely identical factory equipment and bikes."

"This already demonstrates the link and the significance."

“We had a strong relationship with Aprilia, exchanging a lot of information and having many discussions about our decisions and similar matters.

"Naturally, as an autonomous group, we maintain independence in some areas."

"We exchange thoughts, offer feedback, and discuss ways to enhance and improve things."

"I would describe our relationship as having excellent communication and complete collaboration with them."

"In my opinion, having an independent team is advantageous for Aprilia. It provides additional information and data, which has been quite effective up to this point."

Trackhouse is set to kick off its 2025 season from its headquarters in Charlotte, USA, on January 14. This event will make it the premier team to reveal its fresh livery. During the break between seasons, the team disclosed a new collaboration with Gulf.

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KTM's head of MotoGP operations sheds light on the appointment of a new team manager. Aki Ajo is set to take over from Francesco Guidotti at the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team starting in 2025.

For the 2025 season, KTM has made a change in their team management by appointing Aki Ajo to the position formerly occupied by Francesco Guidotti.

The decision followed a second consecutive season where KTM failed to secure a victory in a Grand Prix. In fact, during 2024, they were unable to claim a win in either a Grand Prix or a Sprint race.

In an interview with MotoGP.com, KTM's motorsport director, Pit Beirer, expressed that while he hopes it doesn’t come across negatively, he is genuinely pleased that Francesco Guidotti is departing KTM on good terms.

"Regrettably, we did not achieve the success we were aiming for due to several minor factors."

Beirer clarified that the reason for choosing Ajo was based on his experience managing KTM's official teams in the Moto3 category since the beginning in 2012 and the Moto2 team since KTM entered that category in 2017. The Finnish team leader has shown a strong track record in collaborating with riders in both the intermediate and lightweight divisions throughout the years.

Beirer stated that they chose Aki [Ajo] due to his hands-on approach with the riders, believing he can offer them excellent guidance for their performance on the track.

"To be clear, we don’t expect Aki to be the solution to all our issues. However, if we work together to provide the missing components, we'll create a more efficient setup at home. When the riders contribute their best efforts at the appropriate moments, it underscores that the focus isn't solely on them."

"It's also a matter of strategizing as a team: deciding the best time to go out for qualifying, determining when to clock in the fastest lap, and managing all those logistical elements."

"We think Aki is possibly among the most powerful in this field, consistently showing talent in cultivating champions on our behalf."

Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta are quite familiar with him and are eager to collaborate again. He has previously guided them to championship victories, so we have confidence in Aki to help us gain the crucial fractions of a second we require in the competition.

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In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net team after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

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Carchedi on Marquez Joining Ducati Lenovo: “I Have Clear Expectations” – Exclusive

“I prefer not to divulge too much, yet I have precise expectations”

Frankie Carchedi, the Gresini team's chief, may not be accompanying Marc Marquez to the official Ducati team in 2025. However, the Brit has suggested he anticipates significant achievements from the #93 rider.

Marquez clinched the official Ducati spot, surpassing eventual world champion Jorge Martin, as he was the sole GP23 rider who could compete with the factory-spec GP24s the previous year.

This achievement encompasses three grand prix victories, one sprint race win, and a pair of pole positions, culminating in a third-place finish in the world championship.

However, in 2025, the Spaniard is set to go up against the tough challenge of Ducati’s two-time world champion, Francesco Bagnaia, as his team-mate.

In a recent episode of the Crash.net MotoGP podcast, the host inquired about Carchedi's anticipations regarding Marquez's performance with the factory team.

"Carchedi grinned, "Sure, we'll catch up when the year wraps up!"

"I hesitate to give away too much, but my predictions are quite clear: Entering his second season with [the Ducati], essentially benefiting from a two-year advancement in equipment… The man secured 20 podium finishes [in 2024], so I'll just leave it at that!"

In contrast, the other three GP23 competitors collectively secured only two podium finishes in the previous season, with Marco Bezzecchi and Alex Marquez each taking one.

The disparity in performance between the GP24s used by the Lenovo and Pramac squads and the previous model GP23s operated by Gresini and VR46 was a major point of discussion during the past season. This issue was inevitably brought up to Carchedi during the podcast.

Chuckling, the Brit said, "I was wondering 'what questions will you all have?' And I was sure this one would be asked!" He's also the mentor who led Joan Mir to victory in the MotoGP championship with Suzuki in 2020.

"I've gained plenty of experience in responding to this, and I'll essentially echo my earlier comments: For us, the benchmark was the other GP23s, aiming to outperform them.

"Marc set himself apart while competing with other Honda riders, distinguishing his performance from that of the Yamahas, Ducatis, or any other brands [at that time]. This trend continued into the current year.

"Ending the year ahead of both Enea Bastianini and Franco Morbidelli, who are GP24s, was truly remarkable."

"The team of engineers at Ducati is truly excelling. Just when it seems they've reached the peak of innovation, they manage to enhance their motorcycles even more with each passing year."

"Every bicycle comes with its own set of pros and cons. There were a few specific aspects that posed challenges for us in the competition."

"Definitely in a single lap – though it could be largely due to familiarity [with the Ducati]. It's uncertain. The conversation is about a competitor [Marquez] who's just mounted the bike for the first time, compared to those who've spent four or five years mastering it.

"Reflecting on it, I believe we secured our spot with relative ease. Across the season, we managed to secure the top starting position twice, and surprisingly, we ended up in third place in the [BMW Award] 'qualifying championship'. This was unexpected, as it didn't seem that way to me!"

Motegi nearly secured a pole position by himself before his lap was invalidated.

"Variations exist between the 23 and 24 models. The Ducati team's engineers are so skilled that they consistently achieve progress. Each year brings its unique changes. On occasion, the improvement is modest, around one to two tenths, and other times, it's significantly more. It really depends on the year when it comes to the disparity between the factory and satellite models."

"In conclusion, it seems Alex might be the ideal person to consult. I believe he really enjoyed the GP24 bike in Barcelona!"

During the Barcelona post-race test in November, as Marc and Bagnaia embarked on testing the GP25 prototype, Alex, Marc's brother and ex-teammate, recorded the quickest time on his first outing with the GP24.

Carchedi was also queried about his opinions on the potential impact of the newcomer Martin at Aprilia.

"Becoming a world champion doesn't come without effort," he mentioned. "Having a leading rider switch to another brand is beneficial for MotoGP, as it's something we all desire.

"While it's great for us at Ducati at the moment, it's important for the excitement of the sport that all teams have strong competition and top-tier riders. So, it's not just about [Martin], but having Enea at KTM also adds a great dynamic to the championship, which should shake things up a bit."

"I'm confident he'll be in the vicinity or close by."

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For two decades, Peter has been a constant presence in the racing world, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's currently leading coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Max Bartolini: "The person who can utilize the rear grip effectively will achieve higher speeds" – Exclusive

"One always focuses on optimizing the performance of the best tires"

Yamaha's technical director for the Monster team, Max Bartolini, has explained that the secret to achieving victory in MotoGP currently lies in optimizing the performance of the rear tyre.

In any motorsport where the front and rear tires are of different specifications or sizes, one end, either the front or rear, will invariably exhibit superior grip.

During the period from 2009 to 2015, when Bridgestone supplied the tyres, the front tyres were considered the most robust. Yet, this preference shifted significantly towards the rear tyres with Michelin's introduction in 2016.

Bartolini clarified that, contrary to what one might assume about MotoGP engineers concentrating on improving the performance of the less effective tyre to enhance lap and race times, it's actually more crucial to leverage the capabilities of the stronger tyre.

"Typically, between the front and rear tires, you focus on the one that's in better condition," the Italian, who became a part of Yamaha's team from Ducati twelve months prior, shared with Crash.net.

For Bridgestone, the front tire showcased the most robust performance. The rear tire maintained a steady level throughout the race, with no significant decrease in performance.

"Reflecting back to 2016, the initial phase of our partnership with Michelin stands out. While the rear tires provided robust performance, the front ones posed significant handling challenges. This led to numerous falls during the initial testing phase."

"Michelin has significantly improved the front, making it far superior to how it was initially."

"However, the back end remains highly robust, which is why there is a lot of discussion among riders regarding the traction at the rear."

"Anyone capable of fully utilizing the rear grip can achieve greater speed."

Bartolini swiftly debunked the misconception that 'rear grip' is only significant when accelerating.

"He mentioned that every turn involves phases of slowing down, entering, maintaining speed through the curve, and then speeding up again."

Navigating entry and maintaining momentum through a turn presents more challenges than speeding up.

"If you fail to achieve both entry and corner speed, you will not be able to accelerate effectively."

Enhancing the efficiency of the rear tire is a key motivator for Yamaha's decision to work on a V4 engine initiative while continuing with its traditional Inline4 engine, especially given their lack of a top-three finish throughout 2024.

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For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ebb and flow of the racing scene, including Valentino Rossi's rise and retirement. He's currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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EXCLUSIVE – Joan Mir: Pedro Acosta's victory in MotoGP is "just a matter of time"

"He possesses the skills and the talent needed to achieve it. Therefore, it's only a question of time."

After securing a podium finish in just his second MotoGP race and then taking the lead towards a second-place finish in Austin, Pedro Acosta has been widely predicted to succeed Marc Marquez as the youngest winner in the top category of motorcycle racing.

Acosta, having completed his first season with GASGAS Tech3, had until the German Grand Prix in July to surpass Marquez's 2013 record of achieving a MotoGP victory at 20 years and 63 days old.

However, it did not occur either prior to or following the Sachsenring event.

Several of Acosta's promising opportunities for victory were lost because of various incidents and accidents. Despite this, he stood out as the sole KTM rider to achieve multiple podium finishes last year, securing a spot on the podium five times on Sundays.

Despite his efforts, he ultimately missed securing fifth place and the top non-Ducati position to his future KTM teammate, Brad Binder, during the final race in Barcelona.

Joan Mir, who won the MotoGP championship in 2020, commended Acosta for his performance this season and emphasized that a win is inevitable for him.

Mir expressed to Crash.net that Pedro is performing excellently.

"It's quite challenging to perform well on every race track, but Pedro demonstrated impressive speed across all of them, which is remarkable."

"It's likely that the Ducatis have a significant performance advantage, which certainly did not assist him in securing his initial win."

"However, it will come eventually… He's gaining a lot of knowledge and has impressive speed."

"I'm not shocked that he didn't come out on top, but if he had, it wouldn't have surprised me either since he possesses the skill and ability to achieve it."

"It's just a question of when."

During his second season in the premier class, Mir secured his inaugural MotoGP victory on his journey to winning the world championship.

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Former Grand Prix Team Proprietor Passes Away at 87

Bob MacLean's Red Bull WCM squad triumphed in five 500cc Grand Prix races.

Bob MacLean, the owner of an independent racing team that secured five 500GP victories under the Red Bull Yamaha WCM name, has passed away at 87.

In 1992, MacLean established the WCM team as an independent entity, bringing on Peter Clifford to serve as the team manager.

WCM transitioned from using ROC chassis coupled with Yamaha engines, securing an arrangement in 1997 for factory-grade YZR500s. Alongside, they inked a major sponsorship agreement with Red Bull.

In 1998, Simon Crafar secured the team's inaugural win at Donington Park, which was succeeded by Regis Laconi achieving another victory in Valencia in 1999.

2000 marked the peak season for WCM, with the 'slide king' Garry McCoy clinching three wins and securing fifth place in the world championship.

In 2001, McCoy secured three additional top-three finishes, surpassing his teammate Noriyuki Haga in points even though he was sidelined for several races because of injuries.

The beginning of the 2002 four-stroke era found McCoy and his new teammate, John Hopkins, sticking with two-stroke engines because of a scarce availability of Yamaha's newly introduced M1 engines.

At the season's conclusion, Red Bull transitioned to KTM, whereas WCM embarked on developing a proprietary four-stroke prototype, utilizing a modified R1 engine and a frame constructed by Harris.

Disagreements involving MotoGP and WorldSBK created obstacles for the project, and an ensuing initiative to develop a V6 engine motorcycle with Blata's support failed to come to fruition, leading to the team's absence from the 2006 world championship.

A declaration released by Road Racing World stated:

Robert John MacLean, affectionately known as Bob, a beloved husband, father, and teacher, died serenely in his Wilson, Wyoming residence on December 14, 2024, at 87 years old. His life began on February 18, 1937, in Coronado, California, born to parents Robert John MacLean and Mary Witty MacLean. Throughout his life, Bob was profoundly dedicated to the realms of education, athletics, and serving his community.

"…Having spent numerous years as a motorcycle racer, Bob established World Championship Motorsports in 1991, where he served as co-owner and operator until 2005. WCM took part in the premier class of global motorsports, competing in the FIM Grand Prix Motorcycle series. His venture into entrepreneurship, alongside his dedication to education and sports, showcased his exceptional leadership abilities."

Bob played a significant role in his community, notably his participation on the South Kent School Board from 1990 to 1999, where he also held the position of President from 1995 to 1999. His leadership and benevolence were instrumental in molding the school's destiny. Additionally, Bob was a dedicated board member of the Teton County Sheriff’s Auxiliary for more than twenty years and was involved with the New York Board of the Shakespeare Globe.

In the serene setting of Wilson, Wyoming, Bob discovered tranquility and satisfaction through his passion for fly fishing and moments spent on his ranch. He actively supported community initiatives, making donations to entities like the Jackson Hole Land Trust and the National Museum of Wildlife Art, showcasing his profound respect for the area's stunning landscape.

First and foremost, the most important part of Bob's life was his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Anna (Marna) MacLean, to whom he was married for 64 years. Together, they brought up their three sons in Waccabuc, NY, and in their later years, divided their time between Lost Tree Village, Florida, and their residence in Wilson, Wyoming. Bob's legacy continues through his three sons, Chris MacLean (married to Cathryn Kishbaugh), Ian MacLean, and Mark MacLean (married to Marsha Yamaykina), as well as his five grandchildren.

Bob's zest for life, his ability to make others laugh, and his optimistic view will be cherished by his loved ones.

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KTM reveals details on a comprehensive 100-point strategy to safeguard its racing endeavors

"Actions were implemented by us well in advance"

KTM is implementing a strategy comprised of 100 specific measures aimed at reducing expenses within its racing division, with the goal of maintaining its operations despite facing financial difficulties.

The Austrian company is currently undergoing a reorganization to avoid insolvency, with its debts believed to exceed €3 billion.

The initial gathering of the creditors ended on a positive note, permitting KTM to maintain its existing structure and proceed with its reorganization plans. Moreover, there has been significant interest from external investors, amounting to €700 million.

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has shown interest in investing, with his management team engaging in "solid" talks with KTM.

Nonetheless, a section of the creditors' document mentioned that KTM's exit from MotoGP was "premeditated."

Scheduled for 2026, KTM has already announced its participation in this year's grid.

During a conversation with Speedweek, Pit Beirer, who oversees motorsports for KTM, discussed the company's implementation of a 100-point strategy aimed at reducing expenses within its sports department.

"He mentioned that actions were implemented quite some time back."

"When agreements came to an end, it was simpler to make adjustments than during this period, where contracts are archived in various places.

"A notably straightforward yet distressing matter is that we've cut down our global programme by 12 racers, with each one being crucial for the livelihood of two to four staff members."

The choice to dissolve specific racing squads or to exclude certain racers in various classes has mainly impacted our team of drivers, but behind the scenes, it has led to a significant number of job losses.

"For every project that comes to an end, there invariably exist a pair of surplus trucks, alongside additional vehicles and automobiles."

"Subsequently, the materials required by the drivers become unnecessary. These reductions are swift actions that have noticeable effects."

Beirer additionally pointed out that KTM has ceased to be the main sponsor for the Hard Enduro World Championship.

In the world of Grand Prix racing, KTM has removed the GASGAS name from competition, and Husqvarna is no longer present either.

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Enduro World Championship contender Kalle Rovanpera introduces his newly formed team.

Kalle Rovanpera, who has claimed the World Rally Championship title twice, revealed the formation of his brand new KR69 World Enduro Team. This team is set to start participating in the EnduroGP World Championship starting this season.

Rovanpera's squad plans to enter a Husqvarna FE 250 for his fellow Finn, Roni Kyttonen, whom Rovanpera has also backed in 2024.

Kyttonen had to pull out of the remaining races of the 2024 season in both the EnduroGP and the Finnish Championship after sustaining a hand injury during the EnduroGP event in Wales in August.

The rider from Finland boasts three European Enduro Championship victories and the 2020 EnduroGP Junior 1 global championship.

The KR69 WET, which incorporates Rovanpera's initials and World Rally Championship driver number, signifies a significant milestone in his motorsport journey as he embarks on the role of a team owner for the first time.

At 24 years old, he will take on dual roles, handling management responsibilities while also fulfilling his driving commitments. He is set to make a full-time comeback to the World Rally Championship (WRC) with the official Toyota team in 2025, following a partial season in 2024. Despite the limited participation that year, he managed to secure three rally victories. Notably, one of these wins came at Rally Poland, where he and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen stepped in as replacements for Sebastien Ogier and Vincent Landais, who had to withdraw due to an accident with a non-competition vehicle during the reconnaissance run.

Rovanpera's venture into enduro racing isn't a novel path for Finnish champions in car racing transitioning to motorcycle competitions. Kimi Raikkonen, who clinched the Formula 1 World Championship in 2007, has been involved in the Motocross World Championship since 2014 through his IceOne Racing team. Initially, this team was the official team for Husqvarna before switching to represent Kawasaki starting in 2022.

In August 2024, Alex became a part of the Crash.net crew after spending two years as a reporter on both consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

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In-Depth Examination: The Challenges of Preserving KTM's MotoGP Squad

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the panel delves into KTM's present predicament.

KTM's persistent economic troubles and the consequent effects on its MotoGP initiative have been a major focus in the news this off-season.

As the firm proceeds with its reorganization efforts, there's a guarded sense of hope for its prospects. However, significant skepticism surrounds its Formula 1 racing initiative.

Under the present reorganization strategy, there's a scheduled departure from MotoGP in 2026, yet in a recent conversation, motorsport chief Pit Beirer mentioned that Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has shown an eagerness to invest.

"Captivating remarks, right? Going through the Speedweek interview where Pit Beirer mentioned having substantial discussions with his management team," remarked Jordan Moreland, the Social Media Manager at Crash.net.

"This isn't the initial instance of Lewis Hamilton being associated with a MotoGP team, for instance."

"In 2024, during the Gresini incident, it was observed that Hamilton did not explicitly refute the allegations."

"He has consistently expressed a desire to potentially own a MotoGP team and consider investing in one eventually."

"The anticipation really builds for me, especially when you see Lewis Hamilton’s name mentioned: he's the top Formula 1 driver."

"Some individuals may not be fans of this idea, but he is considered the most outstanding Formula 1 driver in history. The possibility of his association with KTM, given their current circumstances, is surely thrilling. This is particularly true when someone like Pit Beirer is mentioning it."

Senior Correspondent Lewis Duncan expressed: "In my view, if someone isn't thrilled about this, they likely don't grasp the incredible opportunity presented by Lewis Hamilton's foray into MotoGP.

He's incredibly passionate about motorcycles. He adores MotoGP racing. He owns a unique MV Agusta model. He's participated in Superbike track days alongside the Yamaha World Superbike team. Moreover, he's exchanged rides with Valentino Rossi.

"He's a genuine enthusiast of cycling, truly passionate about it. Moreover, his zeal extends to being an avid fan of motorsports."

"People have unjustly labeled him as someone only interested in leveraging Hollywood connections and pursuing business ventures, without considering the full picture."

"Indeed, it's permissible for drivers to engage in activities beyond their professional realm, and for many, racing occupies only a fraction of their lives. Typically, a career at the pinnacle of this field spans about a decade for the majority. Hamilton, however, has surpassed this average, having competed for 15 years, and it's expected he'll continue for at least a few more years."

"Moreover, he's only in his 40s, with plenty of years ahead. He's secured his future, and that's commendable."

"If he becomes associated with KTM, the specific nature of his involvement remains unclear, but it would definitely attract investors who previously might not have considered it."

"Remember, he's the one who managed a fairly successful squad in Extreme E and holds co-ownership of the NFL's Denver Broncos. His involvement goes beyond merely expanding his business interests; he's genuinely committed to creating positive change."

The idea of Hamilton joining forces with KTM in MotoGP is thrilling, however, Crash MotoGP Editor Peter McLaren cautions that partnering with a factory team is not an easy feat.

"He mentioned that Red Bull has a strong connection with KTM, something that Pit Beirer has highlighted lately," he stated.

"Red Bull and KTM maintain a tight partnership across all racing events, and there are no plans to dissolve this alliance.

"Red Bull has remained utterly quiet about the matter, yet it's safe to assume that they are intensely focused on the developments and are closely observing from behind the scenes."

"Logically, they might be an investor or someone drawn to it, given their expertise in the field."

"Numerous prominent figures have expressed their interest in investing and joining a MotoGP team."

"However, there's a significant disparity between running an independent racing team, which essentially is open for anyone to step in and start racing immediately – with options to lease motorcycles and so forth – and assuming control of a factory team. In the latter case, you're responsible as a constructor, necessitating a comprehensive technical crew to not only design and upkeep the motorcycle but also to undertake research and development, manage a test team, and handle all related tasks."

"It's a huge endeavor, yet Red Bull meets all the criteria since they possess the financial power, a passion for motorsport, and the technical expertise through their Formula 1 team.

"Picture a scenario where KTM emerges from this situation with an agreement that not only boosts Red Bull's participation but also brings Lewis Hamilton into the mix in some way."

"It would be amazing if they managed to accomplish that. And who can say? The challenge right now is that KTM is a manufacturer, and it's not something just anyone can step into."

There's been quite a bit of chatter regarding BMW making an entrance, but they seem to be hesitating and pulling back.

"This firm boasts an extensive history in bike production and clinched the Superbike championship title this year."

"This emphasizes the significance of becoming a constructor in MotoGP, underscoring that it's an achievement that should not be taken lightly."

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