How does an all-expenses paid trip to Morocco and a fully-supported ride on a factory-prepped KTM 790 Adventure R to race an exclusive class at the Merzouga Rally 2020? If that’s ticking all the boxes then here’s your chance to claim a chance to be in it.
The KTM Ultimate Race is back for 2020 and the Australia Qualification event will be held at the Transmoto 8-Hour Stroud, on October 18-19, 2019. With six KTM Adventure Rallye events now taking place all over the world, the KTM Ultimate Race was introduced in 2019 to bring together the global KTM adventure communities.
KTM Ultimate Race
Two lucky riders from each country that host a Rallye will again get the chance to qualify and take part in the KTM Ultimate Race at the 2020 Merzouga Rally in Morocco. The fully supported ride for each person includes flights, accommodation, entry fees, as well as a KTM 790 Adventure R to race on, with a full race service.
Competitors will also be given the fantastic opportunity to be coached by some of the world’s finest and fastest offroad racers and to be treated like Factory supported riders during the trip in which they will negotiate some of the most epic terrain in rally racing.
How to qualify
There will be a stand-alone qualification event to find the two Australian riders and who better to host this event than the crew that brings you some of the most unique and entertaining racing in Australia: Transmoto!
KTM Ultimate Race
Held in conjunction with the final Transmoto of the year – the 2019 8-Hour at Stroud – the KTM Ultimate Race Qualifications will be held on Friday and Saturday before the 8-Hour, with plenty of chance for spectators to watch the challenges on Saturday.
Certain requirements must be met for those wishing to participate in the Qualifications, as set across all countries. Riders must compete on a twin cylinder KTM motorcycle (790, 950, 990, 1090, 1190, 1290) that they own (the bike cannot be borrowed or rented) and is road registered.
They must hold a current MA racing license. One-Day licenses can be purchased on the day, however the two qualification winners must have a valid MA license to participate in Merzouga. Riders can’t have raced professionally or participated in the Dakar Rally in the past 10 years. And they must have a GPS unit capable of following GPX tracks and an Instagram account.
The Qualification challenges will be tough, as the terrain in Morocco will be a serious task, therefore we are not holding back during this Qualification.
KTM Ultimate Race
Entries for the Qualification are very limited and open on Wednesday, September 11th at 9.00am AEST. Details on the Qualification challenges and the link to enter once registrations open can be found here: https://www.ridektm.com.au/ktm-ultimate-race-2020/ (link)
Taking place across the country from September to October, the four-part RIDE KTM Adventure Day series will this year visit Western Australia on September 8, Queensland on September 15, New South Wales on September 22 and Victoria rounds the tour out on October 13.
RIDE KTM Adventure Days – Image by Danny Wilkinson
RIDE KTM Adventure Days offer riders the chance to experience the KTM Adventure range in the environments for which the models were designed, over the course of 25-minute test loops, plus they will receive a KTM goody bag and have a chance to take part in seminars on a variety of adventure topics.
The days include everything from an introduction to adventure riding with tips on what to pack, what tools and spares to have and the best riding gear options, to riding tips from specialised adventure coaches, a tyre-changing demonstration and information on future KTM events and adventure coaching.
Riders will also get to meet and hang with KTM special guests Motonomad Adam Riemann (in Western Australia and Queensland) and current ISDE World Champion and recent HATTAH Desert Race Champion Daniel Milner (in New South Wales and Victoria).
RIDE KTM Adventure Days – Image by Danny Wilkinson
Demo rides will take place every half hour between 9.00am to 3.00pm at each event and pre-booking through the RIDE KTM website is essential. Information on the seminar schedule can also be found on the RIDE KTM website, so you can plan your day.
Models available for demo will be the MY19 790 Adventure, 790 Adventure R, 1090 Adventure R, 1290 Super Adventure R and 1290 Super Adventure S, enabling riders to define what exact machine suits them best within the KTM Adventure range.
KTM 790 Adventure with luggage
Registrations for the event are $50.00 per person, however non-riding plus-ones are welcome to attend, just advise upon booking your test rides if you would like to bring a friend.
With the 2020 season, Red Bull KTM Tech3 will break fresh ground. The French squad is set to leave the Moto2 category in order to initiate a brand-new beginning in the Moto3 World Championship class. Red Bull KTM Tech3 will field a two-rider line-up with great support of Red Bull and KTM and is fully committed to enter a different challenge, aiming to discover this super competitive class.
Aron Canet currently leads the KTM Moto3 effort, after Red Bull Ring Canet is a single point behind current Moto3 series leader Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Honda)
Hervé Poncharal – Team Manager
“Being involved in racing for so many years, one of the things I like most is starting a new challenge and for sure with KTM you are never disappointed on that subject. I completely understand and support the decision of KTM to withdraw from the Moto2 class as a manufacturer and focus their efforts on both, Moto3 and MotoGP. Therefore, it is an honor to carry the Red Bull KTM flag to the ultra-competitive Moto3 class, which Tech3 has never entered before. Together with KTM, we aim to see our partnership growing and discovering a new category as well as helping young talents, that will be the future of Moto3 racing on top level. So, now we need to rearrange in 2020 and the main mission is to find and convince the riders that have the profile to understand and match our program. So, the upcoming days will be very busy. Finally, I see this move as a very positive and constructive one and the whole team is super motivated to deliver what Red Bull and KTM are expecting from us.”
The Red Bull KTM Ajo team with Brad Binder celebrated his Moto3 World Championship win in 2016
Pit Beirer – KTM Motorsport Director
“First of all, I have to say, that we are really proud after these first months of working together with Tech3, Hervé and the whole team. Although it’s just a short time, we’ve already established a very strong partnership and can’t wait to build on this for the future. Our strategic change, which we decided over the last weekend, has a base coming from the long-term commitment we are having with the championship. We just confirmed another five years in MotoGP, which means seven years from now. Feeding our KTM MotoGP academy is just very important and fundamental and this is starting on Moto3 bikes in this paddock. So, coming from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup into the Moto3 World Championship, we feel we need to intensify our work with our talents and together with very strong teams. That’s why we are truly proud to see that Tech3 is following and pushing for our idea and that we can create another Moto3 platform together in this environment. This will be a very strong base for young future talents and I’m really looking forward to this project, which we fully support. It’s a part of our global strategy in MotoGP. One more time, I want to say thank you to all the guys from Tech3 for pushing on our side!”
Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder – KTM RC250 Moto3 2015
Husqvarna have been announced as making their return to MotoGP racing, alongside the announcement that KTM has made a five-year commitment to their racing efforts in MotoGP until 2026, in the Moto3 and premier MotoGP class.
KTM have reconfirmed their commitment to MotoGP until 2026, with a focus on Moto3 and MotoGP
Husqvarna’s comeback will be marked with a dedicated Moto3 race team and a new model, which will be developed specifically for Moto3, with more details yet to be released.
KTM AG CEO Stefan Pierer and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta inked the fresh contract for KTM to remain as part of the MotoGP grid for another five years at the Red Bull Ring for the myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich this weekend. The existing agreement will now extend to a total of seven years from the current campaign: KTM’s third as part of the high profile MotoGP series.
With the pledge to the pinnacle of Grand Prix racing confirmed, KTM realigned their output in the support categories by placing principle emphasis on MotoGP and Moto3. Europe’s leading manufacturer will maintain their carefully constructed ‘road to MotoGP’ ladder from the new Northern Talent Cup (for 2020) and through the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the subsequent divisions up until MotoGP but will reshape their perspective in the following two areas.
Aron Canet currently leads the KTM Moto3 effort, with Husqvarna to develop their own Moto3 race machine
Withdrawal as a chassis manufacturer in Moto2 but keeping the close relationship with Aki Ajo’s team as the crucial stepping-stone for Red Bull KTM in MotoGP.
A further focus on Moto3 as the building block for Grand Prix talent to showcase and develop their potential. This includes a renewed effort with the return of Husqvarna to road racing. Adopting the KTM technical platform the brand was part of Moto3 in 2014 and 2015 and scored two podium results in the first season thanks to Danny Kent. The intention for 2020 is to develop a new Husqvarna race bike specifically for Moto3.
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.
Aaron Canet leads the Moto3 standings following Brno 2019
Stefan Pierer, CEO KTM AG
“We made a proactive decision here at our home grand prix to renew our stay in MotoGP and commit to another five years of competition. This is part of a wider strategic view and we now have seven years to rise towards the top of the MotoGP class; the same period of time we needed to conquer the Dakar Rally. We know we are firmly on the way and have made good steps in less than three years already. As part of this outlook we want to boost Moto3: it is the foundation and the base of road racing for us. It is where we began and where we are one of the leading brands. We see a very good opportunity here by bringing back Husqvarna with force; there will be a new bike and a special direction with this project. All of this movement means we will pool our resources and energy and as a consequence we will step out of Moto2.”
Stefan Pierer made the announcement in Austria
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director
“First of all it is fantastic for us to continue to stay in ‘sixth gear’ as a company in MotoGP and to be able to keep pushing hard to achieve our goals. With our knowledge of more than three-hundred FIM world championships in so many classes we know the ingredients to have success in racing and we are determined not to move from our objective. For this I want to thank Mr Pierer and the KTM AG board for the extra vote of confidence and for all the hard work and belief that every single person who touches this project has made so far. Secondly we have looked at the entire programme and know that our effort has to be well placed, and we believe that MotoGP and Moto3 are the main platforms for us moving forwards. Thanks to the great work and experience with Aki we can maintain a link to Moto2 and the perhaps what is the final preparation needed for the jump to MotoGP. We feel strongly that we can have this asset even though we will vastly reduce our presence as a chassis contributor. We can feel the passion for MotoGP at places like Red Bull Ring this weekend and it allows us to feed off that energy. We believe that exciting times are coming for us as a racing division and as a company.”
The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg brings the series into the realm of passionate KTM fandom with packed and dedicated spectator zones, all of whom will be cheering the Red Bull KTM crews in the midst of another season of achievement and landmarks. Almost 93,000 visitors lined the green slopes on race day in 2018.
KTM will be able to count on plenty of support from their home country this weekend
KTM continue to go their own way in regards to the chassis and suspension on their MotoGP project. While every other team on the grid use Ohlins suspension, and thus have a massive amount of data to draw on from almost the entire MotoGP grid at every event, KTM use their own WP suspension.
2019 KTM RC16 MotoGP
Also going against the established grain in regards to MotoGP, and modern sportsbikes in general, KTM also continue with their trademark orange painted steel trellis frame.
KTM RC16 MotoGP
For the first time on home turf near their Austrian HQ at Mattighofen, KTM will have a quartet of RC16s on the MotoGP grid, and the full scope of the factory’s ‘ladder’ through road racing will be evident again with the fifth round of seven of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup kicking off proceedings with the very first race of the weekend on Saturday evening.
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director
“Our home Grand Prix is something we really look forward to every year. Of course it comes with expectancy and enthusiasm but it is one of the best chances to show – and to reward – all the KTM people that have worked for this project that spreads through all the factory. We like to think that we’ve given Austrian fans something to be proud of and seeing that big grandstand full of orange is special. We have pushed hard to establish a structure that we hope will produce some very good results and positive benefits for KTM in road racing and will soon near the success we’ve had in so many other areas of our racing programme. Red Bull Ring is a great place when it is full and you can hear and see those bikes at top speed. We hope everyone has a great time.”
KTM will be able to count on plenty of support from their home country this weekend
In the premier class KTM have enjoyed another campaign of milestones since ending only their second term in MotoGP with a maiden podium result at Valencia last November. Pol Espargaro – third that day at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit – has qualified on the second row of the grid on two occasions (Circuit of the Americas and Automotodrom Brno), achieved a best race classification of 6th at Le Mans and registered five top ten results (as well as points in every round).
Pol Espargaro
“It’s been a pretty good year, for the moment I think we’ve done good races and qualifying, been in the top ten a lot of times and we’ve been in top positions a few times in qualifying and practice sessions. We’re developing the KTM quite well, getting into good positions and having fun in the races, and now we’re at our home GP which is so important and so nice. Last year I couldn’t race here, it was very frustrating waiting for that race the whole year and then having that huge crash just the race before, being in hospital watching the guys. So finally we’ll be there and with the KTM fans, I’m so happy to be there and try and do the best race possible, hopefully the best race of the season which is going to be difficult…but we’ll try!”
Pol Espargaro gets up close and personal with the RC16 for a photo shoot at KTM HQ
Team-mate Johann Zarco has spent the season trying to adapt his style and mould the idiosyncrasies of the RC16 to his liking but is making progress – as evidenced by his mastery of damp conditions to clock Red Bull KTM’s first front row qualification slot with 3rd at Automotodrom Brno last weekend. The Frenchman has accumulated points in all but two Grands Prix.
Johann Zarco
“I’m feeling happy at the moment, it’s always nice to come here to the factory. As a rider and loving the mechanical side of it, it’s always nice. And it gives you some extra motivation, because when you see this place and everyone working here, you feel maybe it’s possible to do even better. So I’m feeling good and I cross my fingers we’ll have a good weekend.”
KTM will be able to count on plenty of support from their home country this weekend
The alignment with Red Bull KTM Tech3 in 2019 has been a fundamental part of the firm’s progression at the peak of the sport. The laps and effort totalled by Miguel Oliveira (the rookie impressing with his pace and dedication) and Hafizh Syahrin has added valuable data and understanding of the finer margins in MotoGP: a competition regularly split by hundredths of a second. Oliveira has pointed in six of the first ten fixtures of the year and along with the full contingent of KTM MotoGP riders the Portuguese rookie and his Malaysian team-mate visitied the nearby KTM HQ at Mattighofen ahead of this weekend’s race.
Miguel Oliveira
“I’m super excited, it’s a home GP for us with KTM and Red Bull, all the bosses are going to be there! It’s definitely a nice moment in the project to put in a good result for them, we have a good army of orange KTMs up there on the grid and hopefully we’ll have a strong weekend.”
KTM riders post outside of KTM HQ
Hafizh Syahrin
“This is the second time I’ve been here, the first time was at the beginning of the season in winter, it was too cold and driving out it was full of snow! It’s great coming somewhere like here, we’ve done a lot with the other riders and I’ve enjoyed it. And we’ve seen how they make the bikes. I drove the truck out the factory and it was an amazing experience.”
Hafizh Syahrin hamming it up for the camera at KTM HQ
When it comes the other categories, Aron Canet leads the ever-unpredictable Moto3 contest on his RC4 while Red Bull KTM Ajo will again field the exciting and evolving talent of the Öncü twins. In Moto2 the same prolific team will give the new version of the RC12 its second run out in 2019 around the Austrian curves and in the capable hands of former Moto3 World Champions Brad Binder and Jorge Martin.
Brad Binder
“It was super cool. It’s my fourth trip to the factory this year but it’s the first time I’ve really had to do anything! It was cool to see how everything works. So thanks to the guys for having us – or putting up with us – today! This is a big weekend for us, a huge weekend for the team, KTM and Red Bull, so obviously I want to get a great result for the guys. We’ve done a lot of hard work this year and they really deserve it, so looking into the weekend I hope to make it my best of the season so far.”
Even the lift at KTM HQ is factory spec (L-R Zarco, Öncü, Binder and Oliveira)
A photo of a dilapidated bridge in Siberia was the inspiration for this epic trip across Russia and Mongolia beautifully captured in this 30-minute “Broken Roads to Siberia” video.
Broken Roads to Siberia
The 10,000km “Broken Roads to Siberia” journey started when Finnish rider Jyri Koski started planning an off-road route to the infamous Vitim River Bridge in Siberia.
It’s an old train bridge crossing the Vitim River which is only six-foot-wide path. Its old metal structure is covered with rotting wooden planks, which can be slippery due to frequent ice in the area.
Once the route was planned, Jyri needed a riding partner and a host for his planned travel film, so he sent a message to his friend Tuukka Josefsson with a picture of the dangerously dilapidated bridge.
“Do you want to join me for a motorcycle ride to this bridge in Siberia?” Jyri asked in the message.
Tuukka was in immediately!
Bikes and gear
“Next important task was to select the motorcycle for the adventure,” Tyre says.
“It had to be light enough, yet strong enough to carry all the gear and take the beating as well as a great off-roader and of course fun to ride.
Jyri and Tuukka replaced the air filter box with an additional 6.5-litre fuel tank and carried extra five-litre fuel canisters with them.
That gave them about 400km fuel range, depending on the riding conditions.
Riding gear was another important selection as Jyri and Tuukka needed protection from Siberia’s harsh conditions.
They chose Rukka’s new “Rough Roads” motorcycle wear, specially made for adventure riding.
For light and rugged luggage, Jyri and Tuukka opted for Kriega’s luggage system.
Film festivals
Wildfire dangers in Siberia
Their journey through Russian wilderness, Altai mountains, Mongolian deserts and Siberian taiga takes its toll on the young riders as seen in their video.
“Broken Roads to Siberia” has been selected for several film festivals around the world: French Riviera Motorcycle Film Festival, Travel FilmFest International Film Festival, MotoTematica Rome Motorcycle Film Festival and The Adventure Travel Film Festival.
The recent launch of the Northern Talent Cup has spread KTM’s influence wider into the foundations of road racing and further increased the credibility of the newest manufacturer to join the MotoGP entry list.
KTM recently announced providing the RC4R for the 2020 Northern Talent Cup
The Northern Talent Cup will draw 24 riders in 2020 between the ages of 12 and 17 for a seven round, one-make, cost-effective series with at least two of the events taking place alongside MotoGP fixtures. The scheme will compliment the other elements in Dorna’s development structure but with a firm emphasis on junior prospects from northern and central Europe. KTM will supply the 250cc four-stroke KTM RC4R that will be set and locked for several years in terms of technical specification.
The Northern Talent Cup solidifies the base of the pyramid from 2020 (the initiative replaces the ADAC Junior Cup powered by KTM where the KTM RC390 Cup bike was used) and where the levels begin.
2020 Northern Talent Cup – KTM RC4R
Moving up from the Northern Talent Cup riders will be able to expect the RC 250 R in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, which brings the bright and best young talent even closer to the tech of Grand Prix.
By the time riders might consider FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship and the last ‘examination’ before the FIM World Championship then they will already be very familiar with the KTM RC4 currently used by 15 racers in Moto3. The RC12 in Moto2 is steered by nine athletes, while four have chosen the RC16 at the peak of the sport: MotoGP.
2020 Northern Talent Cup KTM RC4R
KTM hold three titles in road racing (2012, 2013 and 2016 in Moto3 with Sandro Cortese, Maverick Viñales and Brad Binder respectively) that take a valuable place in the 302 already won in all FIM disciplines by the factory from Mattighofen.
With the fresh investment into the Northern Talent Cup KTM make another statement in their belief, passion and value towards prototype racing and their role in the future for years to come.
2020 Northern Talent Cup launch conference
Pit Beirer – KTM Motorsports Director
“As we mentioned at the launch of the Northern Talent Cup in Sachsenring recently we are proud of what we have been able to contribute to the world of road racing so far and in normal KTM style, when we set our eyes on something we like to ‘go for it’. We already have a strong base thanks to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup but the Northern Talent Cup allows us to go even closer to the beginning for many riders who want to be racers, and for families that want to start the dream but wonder how to make it work. For us it means a truly great stretch down through the prototypes and to that base machinery that might let the Espargaros and Zarcos of tomorrow start their journey. For a company like us – that takes such a big pride in our racing – there is no better feeling than watching that progression and helping it happen.”
2019 represents the third season for KTM and their Red Bull-backed teams in MotoGP and in rapid time the KTM RC16 has sliced race deficits to Grand Prix-winning rivals substantially. The motorcycle, in the hands of Red Bull KTM’s Pol Espargaro, has already crested the MotoGP podium and continues to inch closer to repeating the distinction in the foreseeable future.
Pol Espargaro
But while KTM may be relative ‘new guys’ to the premier class the factory has been accomplishing feats in Grand Prix and feeding elite talent into the upper echelons of the sport for almost two decades.
Firstly their supply of RC 250 R machinery to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup from 2012 (previously providing 125cc two-stroke motorcycles from 2007) has helped over 180 riders from more than 30 countries sample the high-profile series on international FIM World Championship spec circuits and twenty of the alumni are currently competing in either Moto3, Moto2 or MotoGP.
The ‘Rookies’ contest has amassed over 150 races in 13 seasons and is still the pinnacle ‘feeder’ into Moto3. The very first champion, Johann Zarco, is Red Bull KTM’s third representative in MotoGP.
Johann Zarco
KTM previously excelled in the old 125cc and 250cc divisions between 2003-2008 where their two-stroke technology helped athletes like Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez to the initial chequered flags of their careers.
In their first entry to Moto3 in 2012 (after dipping out of 125s in 2009) KTM snared the title with their RC 250 GP in the hands of Sandro Cortese and have remained protagonists ever since with stars like Jack Miller, Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder shining; the last two names being the first racers to make the full climb in KTM colours from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies through the stages up into MotoGP and passing through the capable climes of long-term partners Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
The ‘ladder’ was made complete with Moto2 (thanks again to the Ajo framework) and MotoGP participation in 2017: that same year was the ultimate milestone as KTM took two places on the premier class grid.
Less than two years on another landmark was dropped in the Grand Prix story thanks to the alliance with Red Bull KTM Tech3 for 2019. Partnership with one of the best satellite teams in the history of the sport permitted four RC16s to echo through the paddock and allow a significant acceleration in R&D and development. Amplification of the test team with KTM stalwart Mika Kallio and Dani Pedrosa accumulating essential non-race mileage was another noteworthy deed.
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
For the third year in a row the entire scope of KTM’s prototype efforts across the divisions will be in full evidence at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on August 9-11.
KTM will welcome their next MotoGP racer to have come through the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and Red Bull KTM Moto3 and Moto2 ranks when 2016 Moto3 World Champion Brad Binder joins former team-mate Miguel Oliveira at Red Bull KTM Tech3 next season.
Moto3 2016 – Brad Binder
The South African 23-year-old will ride the KTM RC16 next year after three seasons, 3 victories and 8 podiums – to-date – in the Moto2 category.
Binder will join Red Bull KTM Tech3 for what will be the team’s second season in ‘orange’ and the early stages of a young project for both the squad and the brand.
Red Bull KTM Tech3
Hervé Poncharal, Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager
“We are only halfway through our first racing season in MotoGP with KTM, but already we have some incredible, exciting news coming with the signing of Brad Binder for the 2020 MotoGP season. Brad is somebody I have been following since he joined the championship in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and later in the Moto3. I have always been amazed by his talent, his aggressivity and his never-give-up-attitude and when you run a motorcycle race team, this is the profile of rider you wish and you love to have. I think to have the Miguel Oliveira – Brad Binder line-up reunited with us next year, is something that shows the Red Bull KTM organization and path is working. I think Brad Binder more than deserves a MotoGP ride next year after what he has been showing in the Moto2 the past two seasons. I know KTM and I can witness KTM is working incredibly hard to improve the MotoGP bike and I’m quite sure that Brad with the winter test will be very happy and very fast from round one on that bike. It’s going to be a strong team, as I think there will be a great relation between him and Miguel, his teammate and I honestly believe, I couldn’t dream for a better structure. Miguel and Brad know each other, they are both incredible competitors and when you are a team owner, this is all you wish for. So, together with Red Bull, KTM and Tech3 there was never any doubt that this is the line-up we wanted to have and I would like to thank Pit Beirer for his investment, I would like to thank Niki Ruhstorfer for his support. I would also like to thank Bob Moore, Brad’s personal manager, because I think the four of us, we managed to make that happen and this is a great news for MotoGP racing and a great news for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team. I would like to say a huge warm welcome to Brad and tell him we are going to follow him even closer during the second part of the Moto2 season. I’m sure he’s going to win some races, why not fight for the title and we are ready to welcome him from the Valencia test.”
The Red Bull KTM Ajo team with Brad Binder celebrate his Moto3 World Championship win
Binder made his Grand Prix debut in 2011 (as a Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race winner) and grabbed his first silverware in 2014. He claimed the 2016 Moto3 world title in just his second term with Red Bull KTM Ajo (becoming South Africa’s first world champion in thirty-six years and just the third from his country), and graduated immediately to Moto2 with the same team. He raced alongside Oliveira in 2017 and 2018.
Brad Binder – 2019 Moto2
Brad Binder
“It is incredible to have this opportunity. I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, my manager and my family for helping me get to the premier class and to be able to give it a try. It is an amazing feeling right now and a dream come true. When you are growing up then this is what you aim for – to be in the MotoGP class with the best riders in the world with the best bikes – so it is a crazy feeling right now.”
Brad Binder – Moto2 2018
In MotoGP Binder will be the first South African to take to the grid in the four-stroke era and to score significant points since Kork Ballington, Jon Ekerold and Brett Hudson in the early 1980s.
Kork Ballington with compatriot Brad Binder, the 2016 Moto3 World Champion
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director
“To be able to sign Brad Binder for our MotoGP project is an exciting moment because he has been with us for five years already and is one of our world champions. We have a strong story and connection and we’re really happy that it continues. It is clear we all have a big challenge in front of us and we also feel responsible for him to be able to maintain this good path we have together. We also like the fact that Brad has this distinctive riding style that allows him to push a bike and project to the maximum. We feel that he ‘fits’ to us, and we cannot wait to see how he handles and attacks a MotoGP bike. I’m sure he can add some extra and special things because he has done that with every motorcycle he has raced so far and it will be a highlight not only for us but for all MotoGP fans.”
CFMoto could soon be expanding its engine sizes with a 700cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine and KTM’s first-generation 990cc LC8 engine.
Images from the Chinese company’s patent application have leaked showing the 700cc engine which is expected to replace the current 650cc units.
Expanding capacity
The company has close ties with KTM, making their bikes in China for the domestic market and using the same designing house, Kiska.
CFMoto are not only expanding engine capacities but also expanding production.
They are building a joint factory wth KTM in China, producing more than half a million bikes a year.
From 2021, the factory will make all KTM models powered by the new 799cc parallel-twin for the world market.
Now CFMoto has also bought the rights to use their old LC8 engines in models for the Asian market.
700cc engine
The leaked 700cc patent images also show the bikes will have a new tubular steel frame, aluminium swingarm, upside-down forks and rising-rate monoshock rear shock mounted on the swingarm rather than a direct-action setup as on the current 650cc line-up.
The 649cc engine delivers 52kW of power, while the 700cc is expected to deliver up to 60kW.
CFMoto Australia boss Michael Poynton says he doesn’t know “too much at this point in time about the 700cc platform”.
“Like always, there will be some new motorcycles released by CFMoto at EICMA later this year but I am unsure on what these will be,” he says.
The only problem with the new models is that they would no longer be learner-approved like the current range of 650cc and 400cc models.
650cc deals
650MT
CFMoto 650NK
Meanwhile, CFMoto Australia has some “cracking deals on “excessive inventory” of their current 650cc models ahead of the release of the new 650GT later this year.
Customers can save $500 on the $5990 ride-away price on a new CFMoto 650NK ABS or the $7490 650MT ABS.
The 650MT ABS adventure models also comes with a free set of panniers worth $650.
CFMoto motorcycles come with a two-year, unlimited kilometre factory warranty.
The “CFMoto Double Deal” will run to 30 September 2019.
2019 KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye: Top of the South
Running November 9-14 this year (2019), the KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye returns to the South Island for five action packed days of amazing terrain, that is the dreams of all adventure riders. Entrants will be treated to a course set by local experts who are all Rallye riders themselves and are excited to showcase the stunning landscape they call their backyard.
Set to explore the famous Top of the South regions of Nelson Tasman, Marlborough and Canterbury, “Sunny Nelson” provides the ideal location to start and finish the Rallye.
Kickstarting the action is a loop day out Nelson, with riders straight into dirt mere kms from downtown, with a fun rocky climb followed by breathtaking views – and that is just the first 50km!
The route will then see riders head to the riverside mountain town of Murchison along some of the local experts favourite tracks, as well as some of the South Islands most famous adventure roads – Rainbow and Molesworth Stations – with further overnights at the charismatic town of Hanmer Springs and the coastal port of Picton before returning to Nelson to cap off an epic week.
KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye: Top of the South
Open to orange adventure riders with the following eligible KTM bikes: 640, 690, 790, 790R, 950, 990, 1050, 1090, 1090R, 1190, 1190R, 1290 & 1290R models. The Rallye is tailored to suit a wide range of rider abilities, from those in their first years of Adventure riding up to seasoned Adventure pros.
The aim on the KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye is to be suitable for all KTM adventure riders – therefore we offer two route options daily for riders: Main Route and Breakout Route. The Main Route will be shorter and less technically challenging, with the Breakout Routes offering advanced riders more challenging terrain.
KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye
The Main Route will be made up of winding back country roads, metal roads and well formed off road tracks. Riders on the Breakout routes can expect rocks, mud, hills, mountains, farm land and some real challenges.
And taking the adventure to another level, back for 2019 is the KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers, which will see two lucky Rallye riders win the chance to participate in the 2020 Merzouga Rally in Morocco.
The KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye is about offering a great experience to our orange adventure riders by taking all the hard work of planning a ride so you can truly enjoy your adventure. With lead riders, sweep riders, GPS routes, luggage support, technical support, medical support, a backup vehicle, dinner every night and a photographer and videographer to capture the memories – we cover the details, so you can enjoy the good stuff!
Also – if you wish to take advantage of the Dealer Priority Registration, be sure to contact your local KTM New Zealand dealer now so you are on their list to receive the registration link first.
