Austria’s Rene Hofer to become full-time MXGP rider in 2020

Michelle Liew

September 27, 2019

Rene Hofer will be the first Austrian to represent the newly-revamped Red Bull KTM team.

Rene Hofer will join Red Bull KTM as a full-time Grand Prix rider in 2020. He is expected to join Tom Vialle next season with double world champion Jorge Prado joining the MXGP category with Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings.  Rene Hofer will be the first Austrian to represent the modern Red Bull KTM team. The teenager is set to be the first in MX2 and the third native in the factory team after Heinz Kinigadner and current VP of Offroad Rober Jonas.

The teenager is known as the former FIM Junior and European Champion and has definitely made a name for himself ever since then. He has championed the EMX125 European Championship races in 2018. The Linz native also clinched a podium win and ranked fourth in the EMX250 standings during his first attempt with the KTM 250 SX-F in 2019.

Rene Hofer (Red Bull KTM)

Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing

“I’m super-excited. We’ve really worked for this over the last couple of years and my dreams are coming true right now. We were not sure if it would happen for 2020 but I showed some good speed in the second half of the season. I also showed that I could compete in good positions in MX2. I felt confident in the class from the very first time, even if the weekend routine is pretty different from EMX. I’m so grateful to be able to have the chance to ride for the most successful team in the GP paddock. I appreciate that I get to have the best racing people around me as well as being able to learn from Tom,” says Rene Hofer as quoted from KTM Factory Racing.

Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing

“I’ve trained with him a few times now and he’s a really nice guy. He had an unbelievable rookie season. I think we can put in some solid preparation work over the winter to be ready for 2020. I turn 18 next year and I know I am ready for this step. For sure the result in Imola was very good but I will be hungry for more. For sure, I will bring in the very best effort from my side. I cannot forget to thank all the people who have helped me reach this stage of my career and who have helped shape me as a rider and as a human. I cannot wait to start work for 2020 but first I need to focus on this weekend!”

Robert Jonas, VP of Offroad

Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing

“Rene has quickly moved up through the levels of the sport. He made sure that it was hard to ignore his progress in 2019 and his first with the 250 SX-F. After two seasons in the 125s and just one in EMX250, he was already pushing for a Grand Prix opportunity. He showed us what he can do. We really like the mentality and the determination of this kid. We’re proud to be able to bring another rookie into our factory team for 2020.”

“He’s Austrian and some might think this would be an advantage but it also comes with pressure. We wanted to make sure that Rene would be able to handle this chance. I can remember this situation from my own experience and we have no doubts about Rene. 2020 will be a learning year. Although together with Tom, it means we have exciting and youthful talent behind an amazing strong MXGP line-up.”

Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing