RED BULL KTM MOTOGP LINE-UP CONFIRMED FOR 2020
MotoGP announcement
In addition to Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM will field former world champion and class rookie Brad Binder for MotoGP 2020. The saddle of the South African originally planned for Red Bull KTM Tech3 will be taken over by the Spaniard Iker Lecuona.
KTM has decided to invest in the racing instinct of two MotoGP debutants and to trust in them for 2020 and the next development phase of the factory RC16.
Brad Binder. Photo courtesy of KTM Images.
Brad Binder’s impressive progress in the Moto3 and Moto2 divisions meant the 24-year-old was well on his way to becoming a premier class saddle for 2020, but with a spot on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, Binder was next to Pol Espargaro for his . placed first term.
Iker Lecuona. Photo courtesy of KTM Images.
Iker Lecuona, who was honored on the Moto2 podium in both 2018 and 2019, was signed up for a Moto2 ride in 2020. The 19-year-old has now been promoted to the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP endeavor alongside Miguel Oliveira.
With four riders, three nationalities and three athletes under the age of 25, KTM is now in its fourth year of MotoGP participation.
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director: “It was clear that our plans for 2020 had to change after our announcement in the middle of the season. After some deliberation and discussion, we decided to go in this direction and let the young, hungry guys with good experience in the other categories of MotoGP show us what they can do. Brad is a rider who has made his way through the KTM structure and we have no doubt that he will join the Red Bull KTM team and continue to show the same style and attitude that we have seen in a long time to have. Iker is joining the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team and we are very confident that Hervé and his guys will be able to develop another rookie like they did so well with Miguel this year. We know that we are making good and exciting steps with our MotoGP project and with the next season now fixed we can really start building this new chapter. “
Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM team manager: “I am super happy with the duo we have for 2020. We discussed it for a long time, but in the end I think it’s a good decision by KTM. In Pol we have a very strong rider who has achieved good results for us and in the other categories we have seen what Brad is capable of with our bikes. He is one of the young children who came through the rank. It will be a big challenge for him, but I think he will have a great future in MotoGP. “
Hervé Poncharal, Red Bull KTM Tech3 team principal: “In my opinion, this is the strongest 2020 KTM line-up that we could hope for. We want four drivers with talent, passion and will and that they stick to the project. Personally, I am looking forward to working with a young and talented rookie like Iker. This is the way forward, and we’ve seen the same approach bring some success to other teams. Let’s start working on 2020: we have the technical support and the right people on board. I think we will take a big step next year, both with Miguel in his sophomore year and with Iker, who wants to show us what he can do. “
Brad Binder
Born: August 11, 1995 in Potchefstroom (RSA)
World Championship debut: 2011 (125cc; 5 races)
Notable results / successes:
-2016 Moto3 World Champion (KTM)
-12 Grand Prix victories (5 Moto2; 7 Moto3)
-32 podiums (12 Moto2; 20 in Moto3)
-7 pole positions (1 Moto2; 6 Moto3)
-2019 marks his 3rd Moto2 season (all with KTM)
– Became a KTM rider in 2012 and has been with Red Bull KTM Ajo since 2015
– Red Bull Rookies Cup ratings: 2011 (7th), 2010 (5th), 2009 (14th)
Iker Lecuona
Born: January 6th, 2000 in Valencia (ESP)
World Cup debut: 2016 (Moto2; GBR) from 16 years
Notable results / successes:
-2 podiums in Moto2
-2018 (12th) and 2019 (currently 11th) on KTM RC12
-2015/2016: FIM CEV Repsol International Championship in Moto2 ™