KTM To Make Moto2 Debut In 2017

Earlier this year in February we got to know that KTM is working on a bike with which it will make its debut in MotoGP. From that time on, there have been no reports on the development process of the project. But now, Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM has confirmed that they are “ready to race” in the Moto2 class in the 2017 season.

KTM confirmed the news of its Moto2 debut to German motorsport media house SpeedWeek, and revealed some more details. Aki Ajo, a former racer currently leading the Ajo Motorsport team, will be heading the new racing team. His current team competes in Moto2 and Moto3 classes of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and Spanish and European championships.

KTM is using WP Suspension in their Moto2 bikes, and the riders will be Brad Binder and Tom Luthi. Brad Binder is a Moto3 racer who is currently riding for the Red Bull Team and leading the 2016 season with a margin of 47 points. On the other hand, Tom Luthi is a Moto2 rider who has six race victories to his name, and is currently 4th in the running season.

Honda, being the official engine supplier for Moto2, will provide the CBR600RR's in-line four-cylinder engine for all the Moto2-class race bikes. So now, KTM has to tune Honda's motor for both the 2017 and the 2018 seasons, because, after that the engine supplier will change and then Moto2 will be needing a new supplier from 2019 onwards. However,  Stefan Pierer stated that there are no such plans for a complete KTM-powered Moto2 race bike as of now. Nonetheless, let's see what happens in the future.