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KTM goes into the 2015 Moto3 season, making a strong commitment to the class introduced in 2012, with a slew of promising riders and five teams contesting the championship on the 2015 edition of the KTM RC250GP racing machine.
KTM Head of Motorsport Pit Beirer: “We remain fully committed to our Moto3 project and want to do whatever possible to continue to enjoy the success we’ve had in past seasons. Supporting young riders has always been one of our priorities and Moto3 is the perfect showcase for the next generation of MotoGP champions. We’re also very happy to have five teams with 11 riders on the latest version of our KTM RC250GP this season, among them a number of strong title contenders. We wish all of them the very best for 2015.
In the first Moto3 season of 2012 KTM riders finished 1-2 in the race for the world championship title and in 2013, the first four riders in the points were all on KTM. Jack Miller, then of Red Bull KTM Ajo was the top race winner in 2014 with six victories and 10 podiums but finally had to concede the title by just two points. KTM picked up the Manufacturer’s title on all three years.
Red Bull KTM Ajo
Once again Red Bull KTM Ajo leads the KTM charge in the title chase in 2015 with Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder of South Africa joining last year’s rookie Karel Hanika of the Czech Republic. Oliveira, the more experienced of the lineup believes although riding in a very competitive class that he will still be able to fight for the title. “There will be a large group fighting for the world championship. I hope to be one of them,” he said, confirming that he has a good feeling for the KTM RC250GP and that there is a very good atmosphere in the team. Oliveira rides with #44.
Binder says his plan is to try to do well every race day and get onto the podium as often as possible. He is also happy with the team, saying: “From day one it has been wonderful to be part of this structure and has been easy to adapt.” Binder, who came up through the ranks of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup rides with #41, in part he says because of his favorite rider Noriyuki Haga, the Japanese Superbike rider.
Hanika, who rides with #98 is no longer the team rookie and understands it is now crunch time. The 2013 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion gained experience in 2014 and now wants to show his potential. When asked if he thought podiums were possible, Hanika said: “We have a great team and a good bike. This year is the perfect time to get a first rostrum. I have more experience now than last year and this also gives me more confidence. I think all three of us can get good results for our team.”
Red Bull KTM Ajo Team Manager Aki Ajo: “We begin this new season with enthusiasm and optimism. Once again, KTM have done a great job with the bike this year. It’s a year in which all the factories have made a great effort and it will be more competitive than ever. We are very happy with this new KTM and we will be able to get great results. This year we again have three riders in the Red Bull KTM Ajo ranks: Miguel Oliveira, Brad Binder and Karel Hanika. I think that we have a mixture of youth and experience that can do well and I have high hopes. The whole team have done a great job in preseason, so we’re ready to start the first Grand Prix in Qatar.”
Sky Racing Team VR46
Now under the management of former racer Pablo Nieto, Sky Racing Team VR46 again fields the talented Romano Fenati (#5). The Italian rider was second only to Miller in race wins last season capturing four wins and two second places and although he injured his collarbone last November went into the pre season tests with plenty of confidence. Young Italian rider Andrea Migno (#16), who competed in the final seven rounds of 2014, joins Fenati in the team. His best finish was eighth at San Marino on the Misano circuit.
DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team
The Malaysia-based DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team have conducted most of their pre-season preparation at home at the Sepang circuit. Malaysian rider Zulfahmi (Fahmi) Khairuddin (#84) made his racing debut in 2009 in the then 125 cc class of the World championship. In 2012 and 2013 he rode for Red Bull KTM Ajo during which he picked up two podiums, including finishing second at home on the Sepang International Circuit. Also on the team is Jakub Kornfeil (#63). The Czech rider made his debut in 2009 in the former 125 class and has consistently improved every season. He was twelfth overall last season placing fifth three times and had eight top ten finishes. Both riders have the potential to fight with the leading group. Kornfeil, speaking after the team’s preparation in Malaysia: “I believe we have a very good bike and a good opportunity to make great results.”
RBA Racing Team
RBA Racing Team goes into the 2015 season with three riders – Niklas Ajo of Finland (#31), Argentinean rider Gabriel Rodrigo (#91) and Spain’s Ana Carrasco (#22), one of just two women riders, both Spanish, in the field. Ajo whose best finish last season was a fifth in Mugello has shown potential during his recent seasons. He will now be looking for more consistency in his results. Rodrigo had seven starts in 2014 and will be looking for championship points in the current season. Carrasco, who crashed and injured her collarbone at the rained-out last round of official IRTA tests, will be hoping for a quick return to fitness to be able to challenge competition. Team reports indicated she did not need surgery for the shoulder injury. Carrasco became the first woman rider to score championship points in 2013. Her best finish was eighth in Valencia that season.
Schedl Racing
Philipp Oettl (#65) of Germany is the son of former racer Peter Oettl and also a graduate of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. His best finish in the three seasons he has raced so far is a sixth at Aragon in 2013.
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Red Bull KTM Ajo
Bike: KTM RC250GP
Riders: Miguel Oliveira, POR #44, Karel Hanika, CZE #98, Brad Binder, RSA #41
Sky Racing Team VR46
Bike: KTM RC250GP
Riders: Romano Fenati ITA #5, Andrea Migno ITA #16
RBA Racing Team
Bike: KTM RC250GP
Riders: Niklas Ajo, FIN, #31, Gabriel Rodrigo, ARG, #91, Ana Carrasco, ESP, #22
DRIVE M7 SIC Racing Team
Bike: KTM RC250GP
Riders: Zulfahmi Khairuddin, MAL, #84, Jakub Kornfeil, CZE, #
Schedl Racing
Bike: KTM RC250GP
Philipp Oettl #65
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2015 Moto3 World Championship Calendar
- March 29: Round 1 at Losail Circuit in Qatar
- April 12: Round 2 at Circuit of the Americas
- April 19: Round 3 at Argentina Termas de Rio Hondo
- May 3: Round 4 at Jerez, Spain
- May 17: Round 5 at Le Mans, France
- May 31: Round 6 at Mugello, Italy
- June 14: Round 7 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
- June 27: Round 8 at Assen, Netherlands
- July 12: Round 9 at Sachsenring, Germany
- Aug. 9: Round 10 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway USA
- Aug. 16: Round 11 at Brno, Czech Republic
- Aug. 30: Round 12 at Silverstone UK
- Sept. 13: Round 13 at Misano, San Marino
- Sept 27: Round 14 at Aragon, Spain
- Oct. 11: Round 15 at Motegi, Japan
- Oct. 18: Round 16 at Phillip Island, Australia
- Oct. 25: Round 17 at Sepang, Malaysia
- Nov. 8: Round 18 at Valencia, Spain
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Oliveira brings experience to the Red Bull KTM Ajo team |
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Brad Binder on track with the RC250GP |
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Hanika in consultation with team official |
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Fenati competing for Sky Racing VR46 on the KTM Moto3 mach |
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ASC - Action Sports Connection 