Moving up from the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto 2 team to the Tech3 KTM Moto GP team is Moto2 rookie Raul Fernandez joining fellow Moto GP rookie to be Remy Gardner. The KTM GP academy is proving successful in bringing fresh talent through Moto3 and Moto 2 and into the Moto GP projects.
I’m happy to announce that Raul will move into the MotoGP class with us, and this further proves that our KTM GP Academy project is working from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup all the way to MotoGP. We all know that Raul is an outstanding talent. His jump from Moto3 to Moto2 had some question marks but he showed repeatedly that he is an excellent rider on the bigger bike, which was our original thought and hope because he was quite tall for Moto3. Going to MotoGP so quickly wasn’t part of the initial plan but he has demonstrated that he has the potential. The Moto2 line-up at the moment with Remy is like a dream team, so to move both of them to the premier class makes it very strong and means we now have riders for MotoGP that have come through our system. We had – and still have – a similar ‘dream team’ with Brad and Miguel and now we can repeat the same story with another Moto2 line-up. If you know the guys, their background and how they work and how they feel in the KTM surroundings then it makes the whole effort stronger
Pit Beirer
The Fernandez and Gardner paring has been dominant in Moto2, with the Aki Ajo team, with both riders occupying the top two spots in the championship. With riders adapting to the Moto2 championship Triumph bike, KTM was keen to continue developing, elevating riders quickly to the top class.
Honestly, I’m really pleased with this opportunity from KTM, as much for this year as for the next. I’ve been learning a lot and enjoying Moto2 and was able to get into a position where I have this chance to enter MotoGP and for which I’m very grateful: it’s the dream of any rider to arrive to this class. Right now, the most important thing is to keep focusing on this season and giving all I have up until the last race to try and fight for the championship. If it doesn’t work out then fine, everything happens for a reason, and you have to look towards the positives. I’ve been a rookie this year and I want to close the chapter and then start again for 2022 where I’ll be looking to find a good feeling on the bike and, above all, aiming to enjoy myself.
Raul Fernandez
The announcement came with drama, with news dropping midway through the Moto GP FP3 session with both current Tech3 riders out on track. It appeared the Team principal Hervé Poncharal was frustrated with the announcement timings in an interview with BT Sport, indicating that he hadn’t had a chance to talk the decision through with the current team’s riders. Awkward.
We are delighted, proud and excited to welcome Raul Fernandez next to Remy Gardner. I think it’s going to be a very exciting 2022 season with the two of the brightest talents of the Moto2 category moving to the premier class. Even though it will be their rookie season, I’m quite sure they will quickly learn and after a few races show their potential in the MotoGP as well. Raul has had an unbelievable first part of his rookie Moto2 season, something that has not been achieved in a long time. Although we are very pleased with this announcement we know we still have half a season to go with our current riders, Danilo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona, which I want to thank for their dedication and their never-ending constructive attitude, and, we clearly wish them well and best of luck for the future
Hervé Poncharal
With all KTM seats now taken with riders who have already penned deals (Binder and Oliveira already confirmed with the factory squad) and the Gardner deal completed a few weeks ago, it leaves Danillo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona deals less and having to look elsewhere for rides. The retirement of Valentino Rossi possibly opens a door with the Sepang Racing Team, and Aprilia still have one available seat; however, gossip sees both Maverick Vinales and Dovi linked with that ride.
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