KTM, as the most successful manufacturer in the Moto3 era will be present on the grid next season with a total of 13 riders from six teams. The clear goal for 2016 is to secure victory both in the manufacturer’s- and rider’s world championship titles.
After the latest deal with Leopard Racing, who recently also signed young talented rider Fabio Quartararo, and following three victories by Red Bull Ajo KTM rider Miguel Oliveira plus a further win by Romano Fenati from SKY Racing Team VR46 in Le Mans, all signs point to the brand being in the forefront of competition in 2016.
Pit Beirer (KTM Motorsport Director): “Following a season which did not live up to our expectations, I am very happy that for 2016 we have a very promising lineup of riders. We have been able to retain experienced riders like Romano Fenati and Brad Binder in our established teams, and we have also been able to attract new young talent like Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup winner 2015) and Fabio Quartararo. As an Austrian brand, we are also very happy to again have a German-speaking rider with Philipp Öttl in our lineup and we are particularly pleased that in 2016 Leopard Racing will be on the KTM RC 250 GP. The rider pairings at RBA Racing Team and Laglisse are unchanged, and Laglisse will be riding KTMs in 2016.”
The introduction of the updated chassis in Misano (ITA) has resulted in one victory and two podium seconds for Oliveira. Fenati was also able to secure his career first pole position in the last race in Motegi (JAP). Following two more overseas races in Phillip Island (AUS) and Sepang (MAL) the traditional season’s final takes place in November in Valencia (ESP).
KTM re-entered road racing with the introduction of Moto3 in 2012 and were able to capture both the manufacturer’s title and the rider’s title in the first season. At the same time it was KTM’s first ever world championship title on asphalt. Another triumph followed one year later when Maverick Vinales won the title on a customer KTM Moto3 machine, and in 2014 KTM finished second in the rider’s title with Jack Miller and secured their third consecutive Moto3 manufacturer’s title.
KTM Moto3 Line-Up 2016
Red Bull KTM Ajo
Brad Binder (RSA)
Bo Bendsneyder (NED)
SKY Racing Team VR46
Romano Fenati (ITA)
Andrea Mignon (ITA)
Nicolò Bulega (ITA)
Leopard Racing
Fabio Quartararo (FRA)
Joan Mir (ESP)
Andrea Locatelli (ITA)
Schedl GP Racing
Philipp Oettl (GER)
RBA Racing Team
Isaac Viñales (ESP)
Gabriel Rodrigo (ESP)
Laglisse
Maria Herrera (ESP)
Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA)