r/motogp • u/F1Fan2004 Dani Pedrosa • 7d ago
Rumor KTM Plan To Pull Out Of MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3?
https://motomatters.com/news/2024/12/20/ktm_to_pull_out_of_motogp_moto2_moto3.html26
u/Organic-Package5444 Jorge Martín 7d ago
The insolvency administrator also reported on the reorganisation measures already initiated by the self-administered debtor:
The sale of the shares in PIERER IMMOREAL GmbH was published in the edict file and offered for sale.
Payments to subsidiaries of the KTM Group that are not essential to operations have been stopped. As a result, several subsequent insolvencies of other KTM companies are now expected. The two other KTM companies that are already insolvent are essential to the continued operation of the KTM Group and are being financially supported by KTM AG by continuing to purchase the services and goods from them.
In order to reduce costs, the withdrawal from MotoGP Moto3/Moto2 is planned.
In order to reduce production costs, the possibilities of (partial) relocation of production are being examined.
Production is to be halted until after the restructuring plan has been approved.
clearance sales at retailers
That would be devastating 😞
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u/Disgruntled__Goat Álex Rins 7d ago
In order to reduce costs, the withdrawal from MotoGP Moto3/Moto2 is planned.
I think this is ambiguous, what they mean is they’ll withdraw from the Moto3/2 classes of the MotoGP championship. Not the MotoGP class itself.
As the linked article says, KTM said they will continue in MotoGP.
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u/Mr_Tigger_ Gresini Racing MotoGP 7d ago
And pigs will begin flight operations shortly to coincide…..
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u/Organic-Package5444 Jorge Martín 7d ago
This could be the possibility. Yet big loss of they lose Moto 2/3
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u/TVRoomRaccoon Marc Márquez 6d ago
They say they’ll continue in 2025, but they may well disappear for 2026 or (especially) 2027 with the new regulations.
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u/Disgruntled__Goat Álex Rins 6d ago
Yeah I have no confidence for future years, but 2025 seems fairly likely (albeit with little or no development).
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u/Antique_Head_6724 Jorge Martín 7d ago
You shifted from Martin to Pedro!
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u/Organic-Package5444 Jorge Martín 7d ago
Martin will always be there, just feels bad for Pedro so 🥺
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u/Antique_Head_6724 Jorge Martín 7d ago
Yeah, it would have been a great battle with our Pedro had a competitive package at least without the rear chatter he would have easily won a couple of races!
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u/Organic-Package5444 Jorge Martín 7d ago
Yup, I hope something good gets figured out for Pedro...
And after sometime I'll go back to Martin 😬So in a way I want to support both but can't have two flairs 🙆🫣
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u/Antique_Head_6724 Jorge Martín 7d ago
Same for me, he has the capability to win the championship but the bike doesn't support his maneuvers ! Hoping everything gets sorted out and we can see him kicking some a**
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u/Party-Cake5173 MotoGP 7d ago
I was wondering how the hell they plan to compete when their factory is literally closed and the company needs to be restructured. Literally isn't possible.
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u/Joooooooosh 7d ago
I’m mostly gutted for Tech 3. Great team in MotoGP who are going to go from a fully factory supported setup to scrambling to find some bikes for 2026.
By all accounts 2025 KTM’s are ready to go but without development ongoing, they are going to be way behind after only a few races.
If I was any of the 4 KTM riders, I’d be trying to make some deals right now. Feel like someone is going to get terminated early to make room for Acosta.
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u/KICKERMAN360 Daijiro Kato 7d ago
This has happened before when teams were left in the lurch by a factory. Ducati or Honda will supply bikes to them to keep a decent field. The other factories realise the sport is not nearly as interesting with fewer bikes, even if the other bikes are not competitive.
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u/bearlybearbear Johann Zarco 7d ago
That was the way, however due to costs spiralling and the advancements and being at a crucial junction of new coming regulations, no one will be able to supply 1 or 2 more teams with good enough gear.
Yamaha are maxed out, Ducati have already cut production and moved on, Honda is also currently only set up to support their own teams. Literally no one can supply prototypes on such short term.
The most damage is going to be felt in Moto3 and rookies, without KTM there are huge holes or no grid at all.
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u/KICKERMAN360 Daijiro Kato 7d ago
Like before, they will allow older bikes with limited performance or something like that. Having a full grid is more important than every bike being competitive.
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u/bearlybearbear Johann Zarco 7d ago
The issue is that they are advanced prototypes, once they stop the production they cannot restart it, they can't restart it. There is very limited availability of spares. Then you have all the sponsors, team contracts and all that stuff... 2 months notice. I cannot see it happening.
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u/KICKERMAN360 Daijiro Kato 7d ago
Look dude, they (Ducati, Honda) have done it before. Sooo not sure what to tell ya. They can and have made additional bikes before. Honda have also, in the past, sold GP bikes to help smaller teams (NSR500V).
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u/bearlybearbear Johann Zarco 7d ago
Times and tech has changed. It's a pivotal moment too with the upcoming rule change too which makes it extremely poorly timed for production capacity.
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u/KICKERMAN360 Daijiro Kato 7d ago
I can guarantee having a full grid is a priority for Dorna - the other option is if Suzuki are serious about returning for the next rule change. The other factories will assist.
Also, within the rules, are possible provisions for a 3rd rider (or there used to be) which Honda before.
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u/bearlybearbear Johann Zarco 7d ago
Some of these scenarios are possible for next year, I'm not arguing against that but with 2 months' notice it's either KTM bikes are on the grid or they aren't. There's nothing else that can be done on such short notice.
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u/SuperChewbacca Gresini Racing MotoGP 7d ago
There are some GP23's still kicking around. They aren't too terrible for two years old.
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u/L35k0 MotoGP 7d ago
If Yamaha had waited just a little longer, they would have gotten the whole team for free, and now they’re paying Pramac big bucks, who would have known.
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u/Opposite-Barber3715 Marc Márquez 7d ago
that’s why heavy paid analysts and advisors exist…to read reports and advise companies where to invest
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u/Fickle_Fail1104 Fabio Quartararo 7d ago
What happens to moto3? Does Honda cover the full grid or does someone else join?
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u/rotgobbo 7d ago
I imagine the teams would buy the bikes from last year and run them for 2025.
Then try to make a contract with Honda or someone new for 2026.
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u/soEckie Michelin 7d ago
Maybe I'm just stupid, is this a withdrawal of just their teams i.e. Ajo + MotoGp, or is this a complete withdrawal including all their bikes. If it is the latter then this is earthshattering for the lower classes, if it is the former then it is a shitty situation but as expected.
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u/Tomic_Lewis David Alonso 7d ago edited 7d ago
I would like to imagine they would have to run old spec bikes bikes at their own cost in junior categories in moto2 and moto3. Don’t know about motogp though. Maybe they put out the bikes and team is run by redbull paying the whole costs
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u/JohnSilverLM Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team 7d ago
Why would they produce bikes but not have a team, they are done.
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u/CyclonusRIP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 7d ago
For MotoGP sure, but Moto3 it would make sense. There are so many other series that run the Moto3 bikes and a ton of customer teams. I don’t know if there are numbers available but I’d imagine they are selling hundreds of Moto3 bikes every year.
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u/soEckie Michelin 7d ago
Maybe I'm just naive, but I can't shake the idea that KTM have to be making money on producing RC250s. As you say the customer base is fairly big, and KTMs being the premiere machine at that level is surely worth something. KTM running teams would cut into any money they make for sure, but if they are pulling out as they say that should in theory leave the RC250 programme as a decent source of income. Of course nowhere near to deal any real damage to that 2.9b hole they find themselves in, but I assume it is worth something to AKV.
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u/TheEmuWar_ Aprilia Racing 7d ago
They posted a story on IG 2 hours ago saying “here to stay” so take that as you will
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u/Bodeman028 Suzuki 7d ago
So 4 new places? I HAVE A DREAM…
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u/AwakKelakar Marc Márquez 7d ago
Kinda feel cfmoto should come in to make a name for their brand globally
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u/penguinseed 7d ago
This seems most likely. They are (or were?) in some sort of joint venture with KTM so the hand off of the racing program would probably be doable.
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u/Altair13Sirio Valentino Rossi 7d ago
Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's too soon for Suzuki to even think of planning a return.
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u/a_sonUnique 6d ago
Suzuki are already thinking about it. The boss of the company said it earlier this year.
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u/Altair13Sirio Valentino Rossi 6d ago
Yeah but the boss said also that he didn't want to leave MotoGP in the first place so his words don't mean much...
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u/a_sonUnique 6d ago
There’s a difference between not wanting to leave and needing to. Suzuki aren’t billions of euros in debt like KTM. Maybe it’s because they prioritise the success of the company before they spend money on racing?
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u/StaffSuch3551 7d ago
What are the rules on manufacturer teams in MotoGP? Do they actually have to be a bike manufacturer?
I was thinking, RedBull are the main sponsors of KTM and also based in Austria. Could they potentially take ownership of the KTM team/factory/staff and we could have a RedBull Racing team in MotoGP using and continuing to develop the bikes that KTM have already prepared for next season.
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u/Vegetable_Problem_49 Triumph 7d ago
Now where will their 4 riders end up at?
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u/IcingD34th 7d ago
Either without bikes or dorna subsidizes their rides for one season and tries to get other (new) factories to pick up the empty spots
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u/thefooleryoftom MotoGP 6d ago
Or the teams race with the equipment they already have after buying it.
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u/redridernl Marc Márquez 7d ago
I hope Binder doesn't get screwed. I know they're all getting screwed to an extent but I hope he and Acosta come out of it relatively ok. As far as the 4 KTM riders go, he's 2nd best for me. He may not be as talented as Enea but he's a harder worker and more consistent.
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u/Antique_Head_6724 Jorge Martín 7d ago
Feels bad man. They were strong, it would have been great to see them give a tough competition to Ducati...
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u/dwiinnyy_ 7d ago
In this case, dorna would be desperate to field chinese teams just to fill the grid (ie cfmoto, qj motor, kove, etc.)
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u/cujo826 6d ago
What if Ducati decided to buy KTM....
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u/thefooleryoftom MotoGP 6d ago
Why would they bother?
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u/cujo826 6d ago
To get 4 more bikes on the grid, like a hydra, we take away pramac and 2 more teams sprout in their place...
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u/thefooleryoftom MotoGP 6d ago
The idea that Ducati would buy an entire failing company that’s $3 billion in debt for a few more grid slots in a sport they’re already dominating is pretty out there.
Even if they bought KTM Racing I doubt Dorna would want that long term. This year was unusual and not something they want to repeat.
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u/edgygothteen69 Maverick Viñales 5d ago
OK, but the article also says this:
In a statement from a KTM spokesperson, they said they would be racing in 2025. The statement read:
Today marks an important day for KTM with the confirmation of our restructuring proceedings. This milestone secures our plan moving forward, and we are proud to confirm that motorsport remains an integral part of this restructuring plan.
KTM stands firmly committed to motorsport. We repeat our statement for 2025: we will continue to race in MotoGP!
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u/Mediocre_Superiority Valentino Rossi 4d ago
No, KTM doesn't plan to pull out of roadracing, but the creditors want them to do that.
99% likely that the creditors win on this point.
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u/ryker7777 7d ago
Fake news
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u/Mr_Tigger_ Gresini Racing MotoGP 7d ago
More realistic than KTM being on the grid in Thailand.
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u/ryker7777 7d ago
They already confirmed 2025 MotoGP season. Restructuring is done.
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u/Mr_Tigger_ Gresini Racing MotoGP 7d ago
One thing to say a thing, and completely another to actually do it. Sponsors are watching and will pull the plug in a second if they know something it’s up.
You can’t owe nearly three billion euros, not pay your factory workers for at least two months and in the meantime spend 40 million euros minimum on a GP team.
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u/ryker7777 6d ago
It is the opposite. The sponsors are the ones who keep it going. There is too much value in the project itself after a decade of development and the marketing opportunities provided by the MotoGP.
Stay tuned, all good for 25.
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u/Rs-tuner Marco Simoncelli 6d ago
Exactly the sponsors pay for most of the gp team any shortfalls I can imagine redbull stepping in to cover the costs.
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u/Mr_Tigger_ Gresini Racing MotoGP 6d ago
With respect, if there was that much value in MotoGP then KTM wouldn’t have over 130’000 unsold bikes. Those bikes are killing them right now because they are no longer EU compliant, either right now or in a few months.
Hey I hope you’re right, it’ll seriously hurt our sport but creditors really don’t fucking care at all.
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u/Silly-Tax8978 Aleix Espargaro 7d ago
Can’t say I’m surprised. The idea of of a company that is broke continuing to pay £70m a year to race bikes that are not winning and not very road-relevant is ridiculous.