Tag Archives: MotoGP

1997 Aprilia RSW-2 | Twin-cylinder 500 GP Aprilia

1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

With Phil Aynsley


Aprilia designer/engineer Jan Witteveen was the first to take advantage of the rule change which allowed twin-cylinder bikes to have a minimum weight of 105 kg, compared to four cylinder bikes’ 130 kg. Honda later followed suit (in 1996) with their NSR500V.

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

Aprilia began its premier class campaign in 1994 with a bike that was basically their RSV250 V-twin enlarged to 410 cc with Loris Reggiani as the rider.

For 1996 a dedicated chassis was employed, not a modified 250 cc frame, the capacity grew to 430 cc, then to 460 cc half way through the ’97 season. The motor architecture precluded any increase past 460 cc.

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

It was for this reason the company sat out 1998 while a completely new 498 cc motor was developed. This first saw action in 1999 with Tetsuya Harada as the pilot. He was joined by Jeremy McWilliams for the 2000 season.

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

The RSW-2’s (and the NSR500V’s) main problem was despite being theoretically capable of faster lap times than the heavier four cylinder bikes, in reality the horsepower advantage of the fours (usually around 50-60 plus hp) provided greater acceleration, meaning the twins weren’t able to use their superior cornering speed to get past the fours. Good results were thus rare.

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

Reggiani finished the ’95 season in tenth (with seven top ten places), Doriano Romboni 19th (two top ten places) in ’96 followed by nine top ten finishes in ’97 including the bike’s first podium – a third at Assen, and tenth overall for the season.

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer
Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

Harada came tenth in 1999 with six top ten places including two thirds. McWilliams and Harada between them scored eight top ten places in 2000 (including two thirds by McWilliams) for 14th and 16th overall.

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer
Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

By 2000 the bike was making over 145 hp at 12,000 rpm and was fitted (since ’99) with RAVE electronic exhaust valves and indirect fuel injection.

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer
Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

The bike seen here is Romboni’s 1997  bike that he scored the third at Assen on, and produced 125 hp with a dry weight of 110 kg.

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer
Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer
Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer
Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

Romboni’s 1997 Aprilia RSW-2 Racer

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP™ remains live and exclusive on COSMOTE TV

Manel Arroyo, Managing Director at Dorna Sports: “We are delighted to renew our agreement with COSMOTE TV for another three seasons, extending our partnership beyond the ten-year mark. COSMOTE TV has always proven a valuable partner and provided unrivalled MotoGP coverage in Greece, and we look forward to fans enjoying another three years of exclusive and quality coverage of MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE, as well as eSport and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.” 

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Photo Gallery: See some of the best grid images from 2020

Spanish GP
After weeks of confinement, the green light was finally given for riders to return to action in Jerez. The long-awaited moment got underway in the absence of fans at the track, while the 2020 MotoGP™ Championship was blown wide open, as Marc Marquez’s (Repsol Honda Team) year was cut short due to a massive highside. 

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

1981 Yamaha TZ500H ‘0W’ 500 Grand Prix ‘customer’ bike

1981 Yamaha TZ500H ‘0W’ racer

With Phil Aynsley


Yamaha only produced a customer racer version of their 500cc GP bike for three years – the ‘G’ in 1980, the ‘H’ in ’81 and the ‘J’ in ’82.

1981 Yamaha TZ500H ‘0W’ racer

The bikes were the company’s response to Suzuki’s RG500 that had become the privateers staple by the late 1970s and were based on the previous year’s factory 0W racers, suitably modified for cheaper construction and maintenance.

1981 Yamaha TZ500H ‘0W’ racer

This ‘H’ model was originally delivered to Yamaha Holland but was then sent on to Malaysia were it was campaigned in the domestic 500 cc series, wearing this Marlboro livery.

1981 Yamaha TZ500H ‘0W’ racer

The team received a degree of factory support and as a result the bike features a range of modifications from the standard TZ500H, including cylinders with larger ports, 0W spec expansion chambers (Ron Tingate replicas now fitted), nylon (not alloy) tops on the carburettors, 0W48 wider section swing arm and three-piece mono shock, 0W magnesium front calipers fitted on machined out carriers with oversize rotors, Morris magnesium wheels & 0W hubs, heavily braced frame around the steering head with two of the coils repositioned as per the 0W and ‘J’ bikes.

The bike ran a host of ‘0W’ parts

The customer TZ500s were never quite as competitive as the RGs of the time and never dominated the privateer ranks as the Suzukis did. Standard ‘H’ model specifications were 110 hp at 10,500 rpm, with a dry weight of 138 kg.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Cecchinello’s review on Nakagami’s 2020 season

“Yes, I had Nobby Ueda as a Teammate. He was a fantastic teammate and a great rider. Nobby, I believe, together with the other Honda Japanese riders of the 90s or early 2000s, was a very aggressive rider. All of them were, very strong. Never afraid. They had a kind of Samurai or Kamikaze mentality. I think the strongest point of Japanese riders compared to Western riders is that when Asian riders, especially the Japanese, are focused on a target, they are very committed. They approached their goals with a very strong mentality, and they were even almost prepared to kill themselves to reach that target. It was good learning for me.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Best of the MotoGP™ Podcast!

Settle down over the winter months and enjoy all 25 episodes of the Last On The Brakes Podcast

2020 has delivered one of the most exciting seasons in MotoGP™ history. History was made in an unforgettable fight for the premier class crown and, thankfully, both Matt Dunn and Fran Wyld were able to follow it every step of the way and get the thoughts of some of the key contenders in the Last On The Brakes Podcast. In a slightly unusual year, the pair spoke to a wide range of sporting stars throughout lockdown before then delving into some deep conversations with the stars of MotoGP™ once the World Championship got underway in July.

The pair have, quite rightly, taken a short break from the Podcast over the winter months but fear not, here at motogp.com we’ve compiled a one-stop-shop for you to check out all 25 episodes over the coming weeks and months so you can still get your MotoGP™ fix whilst we wait for the 2021 season to commence. As always, you can listen to every episode via your usual podcast provider by clicking on the links below or you can watch the episodes on YouTube, with links to each specific episode posted below too.

EPISODE 2 – RANDY MAMOLA

MotoGP™ Legend Randy Mamola set up 2020 and told us what’s needed to bring the USA to the top of the sport! What was the original episode one of 2020 before the coronavirus outbreak brought the World Championship to a standstill, we had Randy Mamola in the house, well, Dorna HQ to get to know one of the biggest characters in the sport’s history. An icon for not just his on-track antics but his work off-track as well, Randy has stories from all over including taking royal family members around Silverstone on a two-seater MotoGP™ bike, how the concept of showmanship first entered the World Championship and his take on some of the biggest saves ever.

EPISODE 3 – TOM LÜTHI

An unfiltered sit down with one of the most experienced riders in the paddock, let alone the Moto2™ class. 125cc World Champion, Tom Lüthi opens up about the challenges he faced trying to achieve his dream growing up in a country with no purpose-built race circuits, and the humbling experience that near enough every rookie goes through – being blown away by the speed of the full-time riders during his first-ever Grand Prix race weekend. What were 250cc bikes ‘really’ like to ride? As well as how to adapt not just a riding style, but your entire mindset as a racer, following your most difficult year yet.

EPISODE 5 – ALEX BRIGGS

We sat down with the inimitable Alex Briggs, long-time mechanic to Valentino Rossi (and Mick Doohan and the like before that!). He talked us through his early love of riding motocross – in Australian style, that passion was born on a farm – and how he then moved into being a bus and then motorcycle mechanic! Plus, a little on working with giants of the sport, travelling around the world, what it takes to do the job in MotoGP™ and, of course, how lockdown was treating him.

EPISODE 6 – MAX BIAGGI

Six times a World Champion with four consecutive World Titles in the 250cc class, Max Biaggi gives his take on whether riders move up racing classes too fast these days, along with discussing how perceptions of motorcycle racers have changed since his Grand Prix heydays, as well as revealing his favourite aspect of the sport – something which he says he’s never revealed before.

EPISODE 7 – KEVIN SCHWANTZ

We talk to 1993 500cc World Champion, and fan favourite, Kevin Schwantz to discuss everything from his advice to young racers, filling the void in retirement and whether rivalry brings out a rider’s true potential. Fresh from a socially distanced fishing trip, Kevin also gives some cracking anecdotes, demonstrating that even MotoGP™ Legends need to make sure they have all the protective gear even while out for a casual ride with their mates, as well as the story behind one of the biggest food fights the World Championship has ever seen.

EPISODE 8 – MAVERICK VIÑALES

What’s it like having one of the best pre-season campaigns to date and not being able to race? Maverick Viñales has been on a rollercoaster journey throughout his time in the premier class but it seemed as though he had all the pieces of the puzzle put together for his best year yet in MotoGP™ once we get going. We also wanted to know what really makes him tick, how he dealt with enormous levels of hype and pressure at such a young age, and particularly how he’s able to be so zen and what is it like being in ‘the zone’ and complete focus? Is it a training program or his mindset, or both?

EPISODE 9 – DANILO PETRUCCI

Danilo Petrucci joined the Last On The Brakes team to discuss life in lockdown and also why people should stop saying winning in Mugello was ‘achieving his dream’. As you can imagine with Danilo, there were plenty of brilliant lines including “I felt like an ant fighting an elephant” too.

EPISODE 10 – DANI PEDROSA

This week we have a catch up with MotoGP™ Legend and KTM Factory Test rider, Dani Pedrosa, as we wanted to find out whether one of recent history’s more private stars managed to maintain a healthy balance between his personal perspective and, by default, leading a public life at the top of the sport. We also discuss why some riders prefer to speak less to the media and keep things to themselves and later on in the episode, we find out exactly what it feels like when the very best riders on the planet enter ‘the zone’, how they get there and what the dangers are from abruptly coming out of it. This is not an episode to be missed – Dani Pedrosa unfiltered and as open as you’ve ever heard him before.

EPISODE 11 – NEIL HODGSON

We sat down for a virtual chat with 2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson as the BT Sport presenter talks us through how the sport’s changed, what the paddock’s really like, the transition from riding to working in the media and a few of his pet hates to boot. Is the factories’ rush to sign ever-younger talents the best way to go about it? How do you spot a Marquez-beating diamond in the rough in 2020? Hodgson doesn’t have all the answers, but there’s plenty of food for thought.

EPISODE 12 – MARK WEBBER

A first for the podcast – a feature-length virtual sit down with one of the biggest names in F1 over recent decades, who happens to also be a massive MotoGP™ fan! Mark Webber has not only been a fan since he was a young lad ripping up his garden on a dirt bike back home in Australia but has a unique view on the inside of our sport over the last couple of decades while racing at the very highest level of four-wheeled motorsport himself. From his friendship with Mick Doohan, looking behind the scenes in Rossi’s garage, sitting on Wayne Rainey’s World Championship winning bike at his home in California, to track days with WorldSBK legend, Troy Bayliss – who better to ask about the parallels between the two biggest motorsports on the planet than this nine-time F1 race winner?

EPISODE 13 – ROSS NOBLE

If you don’t already throw your leg over a motorcycle from time to time, you’ll certainly want to after this episode! Comedian Ross Noble joins us from his extremely well-equipped bunker down under for a wild ride conversation talking everything from bumps at race circuits which only exist to the fastest riders on the planet to the alternative theories behind the infamous MotoGP™ leg dangle, and much more.

EPISODE 14 – RAZLAN RAZALI

Ahead of the launch of a behind the scenes docu-series about Petronas Sepang Racing Team’s first year in the MotoGP™ World Championship, we wanted to chat to team boss Razlan Razali and ask him the REAL story behind how that team came to be. We also wanted to answer some questions for MotoGP™ fans out there that can only come from a team boss, such as, how can you nurture a seven-year-old into a MotoGP™ World Champion? And, what is the right attitude that team managers look for in young racers?

EPISODE 15 – GREG MINNAAR

Who is the Greatest Of All Time, or ‘GOAT’, of MotoGP™? Depending on who you ask, it could be one of several different riders from over the years. Is it just about the number of wins and Championships? Does impact and influence on the sport come into it as well? It’s probably an argument that will never be settled. But nevertheless, we thought we’d ask MotoGP™ fan and the GOAT of Downhill Mountain Bike racing, Greg Minnaar, what his thoughts are and how exactly, much like our very own Valentino Rossi, he’s managed to stay at the very top level of his own sport for 20 years and overcome the challenges that come with every new generation of rider. This is not an episode to be missed!

EPISODE 16 – NICO ROSBERG

Has there ever been a better time to add a dash of electric to our podcast rota? As we awaited the beginning of the second season of the FIM Enel MotoE™️ Cup, 2016 F1 world champ Nico Rosberg joined Last On The Brakes to talk us through his connection to Energica, the manufacturer of the bikes in MotoE™️, and a whole host of motorsport, F1 and “life at the top of your sport” kind of tales. From sharing a garage with legends like Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton and walking away at the pinnacle to personal development, social media and more, Rosberg shares a few of his thoughts on racing, winning and the thrills we’re enjoying as electric racing continues to impress.

EPISODE 17 – CHAD REED

We’re coming at you with another dash of wisdom from Down Under as we talk to bonafide Supercross legend and huge MotoGP™ fan Chad Reed. From what it might be like racing behind closed doors – and on such a condensed schedule – to the intricacies of how relationships change between riders over time as rivalries grow or wane, there’s most definitely something for everyone, whether you’re coming at us from SX or our very own MotoGP™ faithful. How do you just click into race mode? How do you balance being mates with two men whose rivalry has started to redefine the word? Chad Reed knows, so sit back and enjoy finding out in typical, laidback Aussie style.

EPISODE 18 – LIN JARVIS

Out of all the episodes we’ve done so far, the direction this one took surprised us the most! Known for his ultra-clear, considered and concise interviews about the highs and lows of Yamaha over the last 2 decades, Lin Jarvis gives his most candid and relaxed interview we’ve ever seen on camera as we wanted to get to know the man behind the steely gaze staring up at the timing screens! How does someone even get a job like being the Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing and the man in the middle of two sporting giants such as Valentino Rossi & Jorge Lorenzo? Where do you even start? Well, like every great story, from the very bottom. If you want business, communication, general people management lessons, all mixed with some tales and insights behind the scenes in one of the most successful sporting organisations on the planet, then this is the podcast episode for you!

EPISODE 19 – PIT BEIRER

Could you ask for a better-timed podcast guest? Straight off the back of their first AND second MotoGP™ victories, we have the man who orchestrated KTM’s rise to the top of the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing, Pit Beirer. As ever, though, we don’t want to *just* get all the trade secrets and what the lowdown is from Mattighofen, Austria, talking to Pit Beirer – head of KTM’s motorsports projects, we want to bring you the story of Pit Beirer, the Motocross racing legend. What skills did he develop throughout his racing career that got him where he and KTM are today, what was his first job in the Austrian manufacturer when his ‘new life’ started in the early 2000s? How did he persevere with his steel frame philosophy while almost everyone else was telling him he was wrong? And lastly, when was the exact moment that he and KTM’s top brass decided to start their now race-winning MotoGP project? All questions we have answered.

EPISODE 20 – WILCO ZEELENBERG

Wilco Zeelenberg is a one time 250cc Grand Prix winner and as team manager, he took Jorge Lorenzo to three MotoGP™ World Championships, Cal Crutchlow to his World Supersport Championship, and now is the team boss at Petronas Sepang Racing Team in MotoGP™… which you may know, just took victory in Misano with Franco Morbidelli and two previous victories this year with Fabio Quartararo… they’re pretty decent, to say the least. He also was the first ‘rider performance analyst’ in the MotoGP™ paddock, that’s “rider coach” to you and us, so basically is responsible for creating an entirely new job in racing. So what does he think of that? How did he decide the moment to retire from riding? How did he then rise to the very top of the sport once again? As you’ll hear, it was far from straightforward – even on his first day in the new job!

EPISODE 21 – ANDREA DOVIZIOSO

It’s not often you get a full 25 minutes to chat with one of the greatest motorcycle racers in recent history. But here we are, bringing you guys Dovi Undaunted and Unfiltered talking about some of the things closest to his heart: Supercross, caravan holidays, his inner circle, and of course the methods he uses to be at the very top of his game every time he lines up on a MotoGP™ grid. There’s not just stories and perspectives in this episode, there are a few things for us all to take away from this one as well.

EPISODE 22 – JOHANN ZARCO

At the very circuit where last year, Johann Zarco rocked up in a motorhome with no ride in the premier class, looking for a job and a way to rebuild his career, we sat down with the double Moto2™ World Champion to discuss what it takes to make it back to the top of the sport to the podium and continue his search for the holy grail, that first MotoGP™ victory. In one of the most open and honest Last On The Brakes podcasts to date, Johann tells us about the humble beginnings of his racing career and how, inspired by his own start in the sport, he wants to help potential French motorcycling superstars in the future. Plus, what MotoGP™ world he thinks Marc Marquez will return to once he recovers from injury – will he have it so ‘easy’?

EPISODE 23 – FABIO QUARTARARO

From ‘the next Marquez’ to ‘totally lost’, this is the story of Fabio Quartararo and how he dug himself out a 2 year long rut, propelling himself into a MotoGP™ ride and stunning the world by taking it to the best of the best in his first premier class season aboard an Independent Team bike in their own debut MotoGP™ season. Key takeaways from this episode are how he uses the pressure he once felt to his advantage, how he keeps his feet on the ground and what it’s like to basically have all your dreams come true in a very short space of time.

EPISODE 24 – DAVIDE BRIVIO

What does it take to be a MotoGP™ Team Manager? Well, if you want to be anything like Davide Brivio, try your hand at just about every job there is in a motorcycle racing team, from grassroots, to professional and then to the very top level! He has seen it, done it, and got the t-shirt. Then, he started all over again at Suzuki! With the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer on the cusp of a triple crown World Championship season in 2020, we get to know the figurehead behind it all, how the project restarted once they left MotoGP™ initially in 2011 and what the whole team’s philosophy has been to bring Suzuki back to the very top of the sport.

EPISODE 25 – TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI

Season 2 of Last On The Brakes comes to a close and with another high profile guest – one of the sensations of the 2020 season, Takaaki Nakagami! He’s actually the first return guest we’ve had on the podcast after we spoke to him last year so this time we wanted to breeze through his origin story and hit him straight with the burning questions we had in mind – his honesty to himself and the media when he makes mistakes and what it’s like looking at Marc Marquez’s data and trying to emulate what he does on the track. Huge thanks to Taka for his openness, we hope you all appreciate what we think is up there in the top 3 most interesting podcasts we’ve done this year!

Every practice session, qualifying battle and race, exclusive interviews, historic races and so much more fantastic content: this is VideoPass!

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

2020 in review: a landmark year for MotoGP™ eSport

The year began with racing on hold as the Covid-19 pandemic obliged calendar changes, but the competition continued – virtually. For the first time ever, MotoGP™ riders competed against each other online in 10 Virtual Races, including two full Grands Prix featuring MotoGP™, Moto2™, Moto3™ and MotoE™. 64 riders from 48 different teams took part, including some of the sport’s biggest names such as Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT), then-reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), MotoGP™ Legend Jorge Lorenzo and newly-crowned 2020 MotoGP™ World Champion Joan Mir.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Lucio Cecchinello reflects on Takaaki Nakagami’s season

Cecchinello on Nakagami

Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami joined the LCR Honda Idemitsu Team in 2018 and has been riding the RC213V alongside Cal Crutchlow ever since. Nakagami ended his 3rd season in the premier class with 116 points overall in the final standings. He has also achieved his career best result and obtained his first ever MotoGP pole position in 2020.


Did you ever expect such a great season for Taka despite the difficulty of the 2020 calendar?

I did expect an improvement from Taka this year because he had already shown in the previous season very good potential. Especially considering that in 2019 he was riding the 2018 bike, and it was not as competitive as the 2019 model. We clearly see that on the data and also around the track.

“There were some key points to work on this year, and I did expect an improvement but no such a significant one, as displayed in the second part of the season when he showed to be one of the strongest MotoGP riders.

Takaaki Nakagami

In which aspects has Taka improved and in which ones does he still have to take a step forward?

Taka improved in a couple of important aspects. At first, he understood that there is a new riding technique to be applied if you want to be fast on a MotoGP bike specially with the Honda. Basically, to start to incline the bike earlier while going into the corner and this allows the rider to use a bigger tire contact patch and therefore being more performing in the deceleration phase. Another important step he made was increasing the maximum lean angle which allowed him to turn tighter and gain time.

“Regarding the improvements we have to make for next year, looking back on the missed opportunities of the 2020 season, I believe he needs to better manage the pressure. He has already understood this and mentioned it in a couple of interviews. I am confident, this will come with time, with more experience.”

Takaaki Nakagami

You competed for many years alongside Nobby Ueda (one of the most competitive Japanese riders ever).
How are Japanese riders different from Western riders?

Yes, I had Nobby Ueda as a team-mate. He was a fantastic team-mate and a great rider. Nobby, I believe, together with the other Honda Japanese riders of the 90s or early 2000s, was a very aggressive rider. All of them were, very strong. Never afraid. They had a kind of Samurai or Kamikaze mentality. I think the strongest point of Japanese riders compared to Western riders is that when Asian riders, especially the Japanese, are focused on a target, they are very committed. They approached their goals with a very strong mentality, and they were even almost prepared to kill themselves to reach that target. It was good learning for me.

“I can see that Taka is a bit more calmed compared to the Japanese riders of the 90s, he is more pragmatic but definitely very committed, very focused and determined. His determination is key.

Takaaki Nakagami took pole at Aragon this year

What is Taka’s working approach like? Is he different from other riders in the paddock today?

I would say that we’ve worked with many riders in our 25 years of team history and we understood that every rider has his own personality and his own style. Definitely, Nakagami is one of the most committed riders, spending time in our pit garage working closely with the team engineers discussing every single aspect that can be improved: his riding position, aerodynamics, gear box ratios and many other small details. So apart from riding the bike, he does spend a lot of time working in the garage and I believe this is very positive because with the tiny differences in lap time in MotoGP nowadays, only working like a maniac you can make the difference.”

Takaaki Nakagami battling with Johann Zarco

Source: MCNews.com.au

Provisional 2021 Northern Talent Cup calendar announced

A pre-season test at Oschersleben gets action underway in April, before Round 1 sees competition begin later that month as the NTC races alongside the IDM at the Lausitzring in Germany. From there the Cup moves to France to take on Le Mans at the French Grand Prix with MotoGP™, ahead of a return to pre-season venue Oschersleben for Round 3 later in May with Speedweek. 

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kallio to continue as KTM’s official MotoGP Testers

2021 MotoGP

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director

We’re pleased to be able to keep the stability and all the knowledge we have with our current testing team. In 2020 we could show how well and how fast we are working behind-the-scenes for our MotoGP programme and both Mika and Dani’s input were important in the progress we have made. It’s only been four years but it gives the whole company a lot of pride and excitement to be able to set new targets and to make more memories in MotoGP.”

MotoGP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Red Bull KTM Tech RCs
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing & Red Bull KTM Tech3

38-year old Kallio has been a key part of the MotoGP development crew for half a decade. The Fin debuted the KTM RC16 at the 2016 Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana and has completed wild-card appearances and substitute racing duties since 2017; notably contesting six rounds with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2019 and the final round of the 2020 campaign for Red Bull KTM Tech3.

Mika Kallio

It is great to continue this project. Five years have passed already with this crew and I cannot believe time has gone so fast. It has been rewarding to see the development of the bike and all the phases which have got us here. Especially in 2020 with victories and podiums; it has been amazing. It is good to see all the hard work and dedication paying off for everyone involved in the project. I have worked with KTM for eleven years now during my career, which is basically half of my whole time in racing. KTM is my second family and I am proud and privileged to continue being with this company. I think the results of this year motivate both the crew and riders towards an even better 2021, so I am already looking forward to the upcoming season. I think we have now what it takes to fight at the top.

MotoGP Phillip Island Australia Race Kallio Abraham
Mika Kallio

35-year old Pedrosa joined the KTM team upon his retirement in 2018 and as one of the most decorated MotoGP racers of the modern era. The Spaniard brought 13 years of top-flight experience in the premier class to the KTM MotoGP project.

Dani Pedrosa

KTM is very keen to keep improving and I’m only too happy to keep working with them and helping their riders onto bigger goals. I want to thank Pit Beirer, Stefan Pierer and Red Bull for all their trust in me.”

Dani Pedrosa
Dani Pedrosa

The work of both Kallio and Pedrosa and the testing squad helped KTM to win three Grands Prix with two different riders in 2020 and register eight podium finishes thanks to the advancement and potential of the KTM RC16.

Source: MCNews.com.au