The KTM ‘s factory outfit and its new satellite team Tech 3 presented the colours of the 2019 MotoGP bike in a launch event in Austria.
In more like the MotoGP tradition, KTM opted to reveal its livery for the 2019 season after the first official pre-season three-day test at Sepang International Circuit. The colours were presented by the senior management and the riders in an event in Austria.
The pair of factory RC16 to be ridden by Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco in 2019 along with few outings for test rider Mika Kallio, keeps the same livery with the usual yellow, blue and orange combination in a matte finish.
“We have a big target in front of us this year and I think we are in a good place,” said Espargaro. “Johann has integrated into the team well and already looks fast. It means that we are set for the season.
“I thought Miguel was very fast at the test and that was surprising for a rookie and I know Hafizh is working really hard. All the info the Tech3 guys can bring will be helpful for me, the team and all the engineers.
“I know, from my experience, that Tech3 are good for helping and teaching the riders, and also improving the bike. 2019 will be about improvement: nobody is perfect and I learn something every year.
“I think with Johann as a teammate hopefully I can learn from him and apply it to myself to be a better rider and a better worker. I just want to give the best of myself in 2019 and the most I can to the team.”
At the same time, Zarco added: “I’m happy to be here, and this is my first factory team presentation! I discovered Mattighofen and the KTM factory for the first time in January and I was very impressed.
“After a few tests now I am very happy: I feel that the people in the team trust me and it’s nice to feel that confidence. We’ve done some good work so the motivation is high. Even when we make big improvements at a test we still see that we have a lot to do and have steps to make.
“It helps to move forward. I believe in what we can do. I would say I am a fast rider so I can give good information and I am very proud to be part of this story in KTM.”
Meanwhile, the new satellite outfit Tech 3 will have a brand new livery as they opt for the colours which is used by Toro Rosso in F1. The bike showcases the Red Bull’s Cola brand with the colour blue prominent along with silver and orange in the mix.
The two bikes will be ridden by Moto2 graduate Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh Syahrin in 2019, as the former makes his MotoGP debut with the Malaysian continuing on in the premier class for the second consecutive season.
“I’m very happy with the new colours, the bike is amazing,” said Oliveira. “The look of everything is just incredible, quite different from what we are used to. It’s such a nice project, that KTM and Red Bull got together.
“To have two factory teams on the grid is something pretty unique and it shows clearly that KTM wants to try and dominate this class and road racing in general. I’m just really proud and I feel privileged to be a part of this project.”
Syahrin added: “I’m really excited about the new livery. I think it’s truly different than everything else on the track. I can’t wait to be on track with this bike in Qatar. It looks amazing and I guess even more so under the floodlights in the desert. I’m very delighted about this look and can’t wait to get the season started.”
https://twitter.com/Tech3Racing/status/1095314909649424384
2019 MotoGP launches so far: