MotoGP: Zarco move cements KTM world domination

Johann Zarco’s move to the Red Bull KTM team for the 2019 MotoGP season firmly cements the Austrian manufacturer’s goals of complete world domination, as they set out to take over Grand Prix racing in the same way that they’ve made their mark on other series.

Still to be officially confirmed, it’s now all but certain that the Frenchman will line up on the orange bikes for 2019, with KTM racing boss Pit Beirer flying at the last minute to last weekend’s American Grand Prix to put pen to paper with him.

The new two-year deal will see him leave the Tech 3 team despite their switch to KTM satellite machinery for next season as well, leaving a gap at that team that has already been filled. Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 front-runner Miguel Oliveira became the first of the team’s middleweight riders to have an offer extended his way to join their new junior squad, a savvy move not only for the manufacturer for but Herve Poncharal’s team.

In turn, that leaves a space in Moto2 believed also to have already been filled, with Moto3 championship favourite and former Red Bull Rookies Cup champion Jorge Martin believed to be destined to replace the Portuguese racer there.

The chain of progression comes as no surprise. Admitting almost two years ago to MCN that this was all part of their masterplan, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer learned the lesson a hard way about having a top team without having a route to secure the talent for it.

“Our long-term strategy is to move riders all the way to the top with us. Many big stars have started on KTM 125cc bikes, like Marc Marquez, Casey Stoner, and Maverick Viñales, so the Moto2 team was the next step. We need Moto2 to bridge that gap, and it came as a conclusion of having a MotoGP bike. We want to bring up the best riders, and Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira are the perfect example because they’ve always been KTM kids. If they can perform, the door is now open for them.”