• Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
imotorbike logo
  • Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • X (Twitter)

  • YouTube

  • LinkedIn

  • RSS

Motorsport

MotoGP – KTM joins forces with Tech3

MotoGP – KTM joins forces with Tech3
Bruno Gomes
March 7, 2018

KTM will have four factory spec RC16 on track starting 2019!    Photo credit: KTM Racing

It was one of the worst kept secrets in the MotoGP paddock, but up until now it was only a rumor. After Tech3 team announced that it wouldn’t extend its collaboration with Yamaha beyond 2018, KTM jumped into action and secured a deal with the French based team that has Hervé Poncharal at its helm.

From 2019 and up until 2021, Tech3 and KTM will join forces and take to the track two factory RC16 prototypes on top of the two bikes already being used and allocated to the Red Bull KTM factory team.

For the Austrian manufacturer, this will allow for a faster development of the RC16, because it’s totally different to have two or four bikes on track and gather data from all those bikes will prove useful in the future for KTM.

This will also make KTM the first brand to have four MotoGP prototypes with factory specs in every race of the World Championship, beating Honda and Ducati, three bikes each, and also Yamaha that for the moment only has two factory bikes confirmed, same as Aprilia or Suzuki.

The Hamamatsu brand is supposed to reveal its plans for a satellite team, but if Suzuki really agrees to supply more GSX-RR prototypes to another team other than Ecstar Suzuki, that structure probably won’t have access to factory parts or a complete factory spec MotoGP bike.

Photo credit: KTM Racing

As for Hervé Poncharal, Tech3 Racing team manager, joining forces with KTM will give him and his riders all they wanted to have from Yamaha Racing but never received: factory support.

Tech3 rider Johann Zarco has been on top form in MotoGP. He was a two times Moto2 world champion before going up to MotoGP last year, and since the first race in top tier, Zarco showed everyone he’s a rider that will be fighting for wins at every race and for the MotoGP title. Tech3 asked Yamaha for more factory support, but the Japanese team declined to do so, and maintained factory support only for Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi on the Movistar Yamaha squad.

Seeing his team wouldn’t get what they needed, Poncharal made the switch to KTM, putting and end to 20 years of a strong connection with Yamaha.

For the moment there is no word yet as to who will be riding the KTM RC16’s of the Tech3 team. Johann Zarco is a clear favorite, but Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin, that will be racing full time this year in MotoGP with Tech3, is also on the list of riders that can be with the Tech3 KTM squad.

Will Hafizh Syahrin continue with Tech3 in 2019? We need to wait and see, but until now, the Malaysian rider impressed in his debut in MotoGP!

Hafizh Syahrin only rode a MotoGP bike twice, and on the last test before the start of the season, held in Qatar, the talented Malaysian rider impressed everyone with his pace and showed great potential even if he’s just a MotoGP rookie.

Related Itemsfeaturedhafizh syahrinktmKTM Racingktm rc16motogpmotogp 2018Tech3
To read the full story
login with google
login with facebook
or
Create an account for free
This won't cost you.
by clicking this button you agree to iMotorbike's visitor agreement
Already have an account? Sign in here
Click here to get notified on every new article
Motorsport
March 7, 2018
Bruno Gomes

With more than ten years as a motorcycle journalist, i enjoy everything that has to do with two-wheels. I'm a fan of sport bikes and i prefer riding them on a racetrack, but give me a road filled with corners and good asphalt and i'll be there to have some fun!

Related Itemsfeaturedhafizh syahrinktmKTM Racingktm rc16motogpmotogp 2018Tech3

More in Motorsport

Rabat and Lopes Geared Up for the Penultimate WorldSBK Round at Estoril

Amzar HazeeqOctober 8, 2025
Read More

PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Gears Up for Estoril with SSP Riders Toba and Norrodin

Amzar HazeeqOctober 8, 2025
Read More

Gardner and Aegerter Ready to End the WorldSBK Season on a High at Estoril

Amzar HazeeqOctober 8, 2025
Read More

Ryo Mizuno Joins JDT Racing Team as Wildcard for ARRC Sepang Round

Hazique ZairillOctober 8, 2025
Read More

Lawrence Brothers Lead Australia to MXoN Win

Michelle LiewOctober 7, 2025
Read More

Ducati Clinches Teams’ Title at Mandalika, Secures Third Triple Crown

Amzar HazeeqOctober 7, 2025
Read More

Marc Márquez to Miss MotoGP Rounds in Australia and Malaysia

Amzar HazeeqOctober 7, 2025
Read More

The MotoGP Bike That Hit 366 km/h — Ducati’s Record-Breaking Machine

Amzar HazeeqOctober 7, 2025
Read More

Explained: Why MotoGP Riders Stick Their Leg Out Before Corners

Amzar HazeeqOctober 7, 2025
Read More

Ducati and Garage 51 present the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy

Amzar HazeeqOctober 6, 2025
Read More

Aldeguer wins maiden MotoGP in Mandalika; Marquez and Bezzecchi collide.

Hazique ZairillOctober 6, 2025
Read More

Rueda Clinches 2025 Moto3 World Championship with Victory in Indonesia

Hazique ZairillOctober 6, 2025
Read More
We want to buy your bike Join us on Telegram
Scroll for more
Tap

Join us on Facebook

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • MotoGP to Kick Off 2026 Season with Global Launch in Singapore
    EventsSeptember 10, 2025
  • Moda Launches Affordable Moca Scooter in Malaysia
    Buyer's guideSeptember 10, 2025
  • Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Review: The Most Un-Royal Enfield Ever
    Buyer's guideSeptember 9, 2025
  • Yamaha Unveils V4-Powered YZR-M1, Set for San Marino GP Wild-Card Debut
    MotoGPSeptember 12, 2025
  • Italjet Dragster 300 Officially Launched in Malaysia, Priced from RM37,800 
    Buyer's guideSeptember 9, 2025
  • Yamaha R9 Delivers World Supersport Manufacturers’ Title in Debut Season
    MotorsportSeptember 9, 2025
  • Modenas Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Launch of Elit 150S Scooter
    Buyer's guideSeptember 14, 2025
  • Kove 450R Review: The New Midweight Inline-Four Contender 
    Buyer's guideOctober 8, 2025
  • Ducati Unveils 2026 Multistrada V4 Rally
    NewsOctober 8, 2025
  • Scooters Surge in 2025 Australian Motorcycle Sales
    NewsOctober 8, 2025
  • Honda Faces Electric Threat in Vietnam
    NewsOctober 8, 2025
  • Honda HRC Back to Full Force for Estoril WorldSBK
    NewsOctober 8, 2025
  • Rabat and Lopes Geared Up for the Penultimate WorldSBK Round at Estoril
    LifestyleOctober 8, 2025
  • PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Gears Up for Estoril with SSP Riders Toba and Norrodin
    EventsOctober 8, 2025
  • MV Agusta Lucky Explorer Project 9.5: testing the Schiranna prototype - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • CFMOTO 450SR to enter Malaysia in March 2023 at RM29,300 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Suzuki V-Strom now available in Malaysia at RM81,900 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Colin says:

    I hope they make the Dax street legal. Love to…

  • Mohd Razi bin Rosli says:

    Adv 150cc

  • Nena Maxberry says:

    Just curious what they would retail for

  • Adam Kenny says:

    RM4159 for the front fork is it?

Categories

  • Buyer's guide
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • cafe racer malaysia murah
  • Campaign
  • CSR Programme
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Industry
  • Industry
  • Kedai Motor
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
      • EICMa
    • Helmet
    • Motorsport
      • ARRC
      • CubPrix
      • EWC
      • Moto3
      • Motocross
      • MSBK
      • WSBK
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Moto2
  • Motor Murah
  • News
    • Locals
    • MotoGP
    • Scoop
  • Review
  • Scoop
  • Scoop
  • SEO
  • Suzuka 8 Hours
  • Tips & Tricks

Corporate

About Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclosure Policy
Contact Us
SUBSCRIBE NOW!

2024 iMotorbike World Sdn. Bhd.(1205246-M). All rights reserved.

MotoGP Qatar test – Zarco fastest as Hafizh Syahrin shines in Losail
Argentina drops out of the 2019 Dakar Rally
Nak Jual Beli Motor 😊 ?
WhatsApp
Hi iMotorbike 😊
Open chat