Mika Kallio to replace Johann Zarco for rest of the MotoGP season

Michelle Liew

September 18, 2019

Mika Kallio will be making his start at Motorland Aragon this weekend.

Red Bull KTM has announced that current test rider Mika Kallio will be racing alongside Pol Espargaro for the remainder of the 2019 MotoGP campaign. Kallio will be taking his kick-start at the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragon this weekend.

Mika Kallio is set to replace Johann Zarco’s factory spot. Zarco and KTM had decided to mutually end their association at the end of 2019 but due to the ongoing developments, priorities have been realigned.

The Finn rode the KTM RC16 on its debut during the MotoGP division in Valencia 2016. He has taken part in seven wild card races from2016b to 2018.

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director

Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing

“We have to make decisions to ensure that we use our resources in the best possible way and we are currently in a positive direction with our MotoGP structure. We firmly believe that Mika can help us in this stage thanks to his knowledge and background. It is paramount that we verify our testing results in real race conditions to start our 2020 season in the best position,” says Beirer as quoted from KTM Factory Racing.

“Mika has proved his ability on the RC16 and we are happy that he joins the line-up as a racer again. There is no doubt that we will focus on a new configuration with the #82 bike while fighting for points in the last races of the championship. At the same time we want to express gratitude to Johann for his effort since he joined our ambitious project in November last year. We now have to think of the future and are making this step accordingly. KTM will continue supporting him until the expiry of our contract at the end of the 2019 and we truly wish him all the best for his future.”