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Can someone explain to me the dominance of the KTMs in MX2 in Europe? It seems like the only way to win is to be on the KTM or maybe the Husky. Both Hunter Lawrence and Calvin Vlaanderen have mentioned in interviews that their Hondas are close but not as good as the KTMs.
But over here, we don't see the KTM domination in the 250 class. We don't see them pulling holeshot after holeshot. Going back over the past 10 years there has never been a season where I would have said the KTM was ultimately THE dominant bike, even when it has had top riders on it like Roczen or Musquin, or Osborne in 2017 on the Husky. Even Marvin Musquin made reference when he started racing in the USA in 2011 that the KTM was no longer the advantage it was in Europe.
So what is it? Riders? More development?
But over here, we don't see the KTM domination in the 250 class. We don't see them pulling holeshot after holeshot. Going back over the past 10 years there has never been a season where I would have said the KTM was ultimately THE dominant bike, even when it has had top riders on it like Roczen or Musquin, or Osborne in 2017 on the Husky. Even Marvin Musquin made reference when he started racing in the USA in 2011 that the KTM was no longer the advantage it was in Europe.
So what is it? Riders? More development?
I only said this last night to my mate the KTMs just blow them away
The Shop
Just based on what I seen when rolling through our tech shots for Pit Bits, Rockstar Husky and Red Bull KTM are the only two teams in GPs that really give their 250s full attention... Top notch bikes and top notch riders.
Dixon's Kawi team has some power but reliability is an issue...
The F&H Kawi team and the Kemea team's bikes are still quite stock when you look at them...
114 Honda was thrown together at the last minute.
HRC Honda's 250 effort seems to be lacking power...but Honda doesn't do much 250 race development in house as Geico/FC does that themselves here in the US.
There's no Suzuki effort...
However imo their willingness to sign (pay) the best talents early on is a big factor as well. Jago Geerts is showing that talent can get you top results on a non austrian bike.
That being said there's no denying the equipment advantage KTM and Husky have created for themselves. Pretty much rocket ships on wheels.
its like Pro Circuit was in the states in the early four stroke era, better bikes and getting the best riders because of it,
Since 2000, KTM has claimed 28 out of a possible 54 podium positions. (52%).
You can really see a pattern where KTM dominated the 125 class - then took a slight dip in dominance with the introduction of the 250f (where Yamaha was really successful for a while) for a few years before going back to dominate again.
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