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Let's bring some logics into all this.
Each approved team in the MXGP can host up to 3 riders.
The KTM Factory team is split into two divisions/awnings:
1) KTM Factory DeCarli team
Managed by Claudio DeCarli - The team is based in Italy.
Riders:
Cairoli (MXGP)
Prado (MX2)
--
2) KTM („In-house“) Factory team
Managed by Dirk Gruebel - The team is based out of Austria.
Riders:
Herlings (MXGP)
Coldenhoff (MXGP)
Jonass (MX2)
Both teams operate as „Red Bull KTM Factory Racing“ - meaning most of the funds come from KTM and Red Bull.
The teams are basically on the same bikes. (Most of the R&D comes from Austria, although DeCarli has also somewhat of his own R&D programe - but informations are shared vice-versa).
The only real changes between the two "teams" are the staff structures. And there are also some visible changes to the teams in form of personal/gear sponsors. For instance DeCarli's team rocks Airoh/Answer/Sidi for their gear, and the "other team" is on Airoh/Alpinestars.
In the past (2010-2016) the DeCarli team was considered as the only KTM Factory 450 team, but things changed in 2017 when Herlings moved to the MXGP Class and didn’t want to change his well known environment and people around him.
KTM started to use the two teams wisely for mental reasons - by having a relaxed atmosphere in the rigs and keeping title contenders separated (Herlings/Cairoli in MXGP and Prado/Jonass in MX2).
I can tell you for sure that there is no hate between the two teams. First of all they operate under the funding of the same manufacturer, with the the same goal. And like I said, informations regarding the bikes are shared vice-versa. The DeCarli team didn't even have a MX2 rider until this year with Prado - do you believe that Prado would have a equally good set-up like Jonass, without a good cooperation between the "teams"?
The Shop
Its a sport where there is only 1 winner of a race.It just so happens we need multiple riders per team fighting for it, what brand they land on for that point in their career is inevitable.
The only issue i see for KTM is they need to sign the next Prado/Jonass, and they missed out on Geerts and Lawrence.
2018:
MXGP:
* Herlings - title contender
* Cairoli - title contender
* Coldenhoff - top 10 guy
MX2:
* Jonass - title contender
* Prado - title contender
2019:
MXGP:
* Herlings - title contender
* Cairoli - title contender
* Jonass - learning year
MX2:
* Prado - title contender
* ? - young talent learning year
2020:
MXGP:
* Herlings - title contender
* Cairoli - top 3 guy (33 years old)
* Jonass - hopefully top 3 guy
MX2:
* Prado - defend title, title contender or USA
* ? - hopefully top 3 guy
I would think that in KTM's best case scenario in 2021 Herlings defends his 2020 title, Jonass is a title conteder, Cairoli retires, Prado moves to MXGP or USA as 2020 MX2 champion, and they have 2 kids lined up in MX2 to win the title (Hofer?)
A better question would be "Why the fok is Bogers on a HRC bike" Maybe it's cheaper to buy in by honda then going with a full HSF team racing the GP's. So gasjer need to be gone over 2 years then herlings can sign by Honda. Jonas can have the gp's with ktm and prado in the mx2 or Gasjer and Herlings together that would be something lol
I don't really fault them if you don't have the money to sign a toptalent for #2.
Tixier and Strijbos were factoryriders last year. I rather have guys like Bogers and Lieber who jointly probably bring in a million in sponsorship and might have upside.
As for Coldenhoff: I am a big fan, but he needs to finish top 5 in points this year if he wants a good shot at another factory ride. If he doesnt then i can only see him getting a factory ride because he get''s along pretty well with your #1 rider.
Pit Row
No wonder those little cans cost $5. I doubt they are making that back in streetbike sales.
Not sure if it is a good business plan, or “hey, instead of burning the money, let’s try MotoGP”.
Facchetti as mentioned has a strong relationship with Cairoli and De Carli which could help him if he performs in EMX250 this year. Haarup could change from Husky to KTM, he was a KTM rider when he signed his factory contract back in his 85 days. I might have a bit biased look at it, but the way Miro Sihvonen was riding last year before getting injured sure looked like a possibility to fill a factory spot in the future, but he needs to redeem himself this year for that to happen.
They have the ultimate 'Sugar Daddy' in the form of Red Bull.
A few years ago I read an interview with Pit Beirer, and he said Red Bull matched them dollar for dollar with sponsorship, through their Entire Racing efforts. I'd not be surprised if that were BS - in that Red Bull, nowadays, provide much, Much more than that 50: 50 split. Especially with their MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 efforts. What Red Bull spends on all of KTMs racing, would be peanuts compared to their F1, and the many, many other "marketing" schemes they are involved in.
I am surprised that the KTHusky efforts have another Swill beverage as their sponsor. They seem to be 'horse whisperers' of the Swill companies. Red Bull are undoubtedly aware of going too far with their branding within a relatively small sport, and don't really give a stuff about a supposed competitor sponsoring another arm of what is, effectively, the same company.
The DeCarli Team has been Cairoli's 'home' for over 15 years, and it's gained KTM 6 World Championships ( and 3 for Yamaha). KTMs main 250 team, now housing MXGP riders as well, has given them how many World Championships? Over 10, I think? It gives them a useful separation of rivals, in both classes, yet it's an absolute juggernaut of a Factory Team set up when the two teams are out there. .
Instead of thinking the worst, imagining blood feuds, just watch the epic racing we will continue to see this year, and the years to come.
Post a reply to: Is KTM in Europe doomed???