Moto2: No customer KTMs in 2018?
KTM might be playing catch-up in both c and MotoGP, but the new Moto2 project took a pole and podium in only its second event courtesy of Miguel Oliveira in Argentina.
However KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer is playing down the chances of other Moto2 teams using its chassis next season.
“Moto2 customer teams are not the most important issue for us at the moment,” Beirer told Speedweek.com. “We have huge work ahead of us in the three GP classes.
“We are behind in Moto3; but we want to get back to the top. In Moto2, we have to expect that we will suffer setbacks and in MotoGP, we also have big tasks ahead of us.
“Quite honestly, I would like to continue at the same size in Moto2 next year, so with a [factory] team and two riders. A customer team would be nice. But I do not see either KTM or WP Suspension as having the capacity to be able to increase the quota further. But I do not want to exclude it for the time being.”
While Beirer did not name any potential teams, it is thought that VR46 and Interwetten have already shown interest in the KTM chassis.
Interwetten’s Thomas Luthi tested KTM’s MotoGP bike last season and Beirer confirmed the factory were tempted to sign the Swiss star for Moto2.
“Yes. We would have liked to have Tom with his experience in our Moto2 project,” stated the former motocross grand prix star. “But this plan has not been realised because of the loyalty of Tom. He wanted to continue with the people who were close to him and who helped him… in the end it was perhaps a sensible decision from Tom to stay with this strong Swiss team.”
KTM’s Moto3 title defence has got off to a difficult start with arch-rival Honda sweeping the podium at both races. Meanwhile, KTM’s new MotoGP team scored its first world championship points in Argentina, with Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith finishing 14th and 15th.
Despite rapidly expanding its road racing effort (which also includes the Red Bull Rookies Cup) this season, Beirer is adamant that KTM has not cut back on any of its core off-road interests: “We know exactly where we come from, the off-road scene. And it goes on with full force. Nowhere has a euro been shortened from the off-road budget.”
Oliveira’s team-mate and reigning Moto3 world champion Brad Binder has been forced to miss this weekend’s Americas round due to further arm surgery.
Comments
