KTM Signs Pol Espargaro For 2017
Current Tech 3 teammates, Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro, will again be teamed up in 2017. This time on the new factory KTM MotoGP challenger. The official press release is below.
WELCOME & VAMOS POL ESPARGARO – KTM SIGNS SPANISH MOTOGP STAR
As important next step into the MotoGP Factory Racing project, KTM lines up with another top rated rider and hero of the MotoGP circus. Pol Espargaro, who took the crown in the Moto2 World Championship at the age of just 22, first raced in the World Championship in 2006 in the 125cc class. His outstanding road racing GP debut went into the record books, as Pol is the youngest rider ever to collect points in the world championship. The “boy” from Catalunya has gone on to have an impressive and successful career. He achieved overall 15 GP wins and topped the podium at the prestigious Suzuka 8 hours last season. Like his future teammate Bradley Smith he has also accrued valuable experience in the premiere MotoGP class since 2014.
Pit Beirer (Motorsport Director): “We’re more than happy that we’re now able to sign Pol Espargaro as a young rider of form and with MotoGP experience for this dynamic project. Both Pol and Bradley are well suited to KTM. Also in Mika Kallio we have an extremely motivated and competent test rider within the structure. We can grow together and continue to develop in all aspects. Now we hope for good conditions for the further tests and extend wishes to everyone for a successful rest of the season 2016.”
The newly formed KTM MotoGP Factory Racing team has already conducted four successful tests this year in Jerez, Valencia, Brno and Misano. Now, with the acquisition of both Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith as riders, and Mika Kallio as the permanent test rider, the team is complete.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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