Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

At a press conference Saturday at Valencia, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer announced that his company will field a 125cc Grand Prix team in 2003 and plans to run a V4 four-stroke in the 2005 MotoGP season. The Austrian manufacturer has hired Harald Bartol and Warren Willing to build the team, has acquired sponsorship from Red Bull and plans to begin testing in February 2003 with former 125cc World Champion Roberto Locatelli.

KTM has had success in off-road racing, and recently signed seven-time Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath to a four-year agreement.

According to Pierer, KTM’s sales have grown from 6000 motorcycles in 1991 to 62,000 units sold in 2001.