In a shell shock announcement earlier this year KTM announced that the company was 4 billion dollar in debt with no way to offset the deficit. The company announced it would go through a period of self administration where they will hash out which assets are to be retained and which are to be sold off to give the manufacturer the best chance to survive. It appear that CFMoto the Chinese manufacturer that builds certain models of motorcycles for KTM may be interested in investment for a stake in the company. There are also rumors that the company has secured new funding that will help them carry on through the company reorganization.
Despite early reports that the KTM MotoGP team would forgo the 2025 season. That does not appear to be the case as the team released the 2025 liveries for riders Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder will assume duties on the factory team while former Ducati rider Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales will race under the Tech 3 banner.
Words from the Factory Team Riders
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “It is crazy to think that this is my sixth season in MotoGP already. To be honest 2024 was the year where I probably learnt the most. Coming into 2025 I feel that it has made me a much better rider. My goal for the season is to take what I learnt and make that step forward to fight with the guys at the front. We are not far. We finished 2nd in the Constructors championship so we have one left in front of us. When I see how hard people are working at the factory and how much energy there is behind the scenes it is clear we are going to get there.”
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: “For sure, 2024 was a good year, and we still have some goals that we keep in the pocket. I learned how to control a race, and how to adapt to MotoGP. It was a dream come true coming to the factory team after being in Moto3 and Moto2. Also having Brad as a teammate and helping develop the bike will be a very good point. It will help that he has a lot of experience in the class and I think we will make a good match together.
The two main important points for 2025 will be the qualifying and then the first few laps of the race. Last year we saw that we had pace to fight for podiums or wins but we were struggling during qualifying. So, these two points will be the most important things to improve during this season.”
Words from the Tech3 Team Riders
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “I’m very curious for this season. We have to stay calm at the start because it’s important to understand the bike and the team. But I’m motivated and I think that about the third or fourth race we can be competitive. When I tried the bike I understood all the potential and it’s impressive how you can go on the edge of the corner and how the gearbox is faster, it’s so fast. So, yeah, I’m very impressed.”
Photo by Sophie Fleischer/KTMMaverick Viñales, Red Bull KTM Tech3: “To wear the Red Bull KTM colors feels very good. Since I’ve been a kid I’ve seen them on motocross, on racing…so, it’s a dream team for me. My first thought of the KTM RC16 was: “wow, this is a beast, it’s fast!”. I remember in Montmelo it was very fast, and this is important in the new MotoGP era, as most of the race are the first five-six laps.
The first year when you go to a new bike, you need to be always concentrated, always open to new experiences. Every time you go to a new track it’s a completely different experience from the previous years so you have to have an open mentality and be very focused, so my objective is to be focused and to be able to perform at my maximum. The good thing is that as soon as I jump on the KTM it feels like home. It’s a bike that I like, that suits my riding style, entering the corner. So, this is a very important thing.”