FIRST LOOK: Tech3's blue, silver and orange KTM colours

While the 2019 Factory Red Bull KTM MotoGP livery follows the colours of the previous two seasons, Tuesday's Mattighofen launch also saw the new satellite Red Bull KTM Tech3 bikes unveiled for the first time.

After winning the 2000 250cc world title with Olivier Jacque and Yamaha, Herve Poncharal's squad stepped up to the premier-class the following season and remained with Yamaha until the end of last year.

The chance to run full-factory RC16 machines, rather than year-old bikes at Yamaha, was a major attraction for Tech3 to join KTM in 2019, retaining Hafizh Syahrin and with Moto2 title runner-up Miguel Oliveira arriving in place of factory-bound Johann Zarco.

A black-and-white test livery had been used for the Valencia, Jerez and Sepang outings, with the main question mark ahead of today's launch being whether Red Bull would cloak Tech3 in the same colours as the factory team or, for example, the blue and silver used by the Toro Rosso 'Junior' team in F1.

The answer is that Tech3's MotoGP and Moto2 teams will indeed race in blue and silver, combined with KTM orange, for the start of the new era. 

“It’s been great to show the world our definitive colours," said team boss Herve Poncharal. "I have seen them at the end of December. When Niki Ruhstorfer sent me the pictures for the first time, I couldn’t believe it, because this is such a cool bike, the colors are outstanding. They are not only very smart, but also look very technical. This metallic blue and metallic silver on the bike makes it look different, very elegant.

"Elegance is always important for a French man, so I’m very proud to have such an elegant bike, team uniform and riders’ leathers. We saw it a little bit on the Toro Rosso Formula One team and always found it really beautiful, so to be close to these guys and this design, is incredible. For sure, the most important for a motorcycle racing bike is to be fast and we are working on that.

"The test we had in Sepang a few days ago was very interesting. But if the bike can be fast and good-looking, it’s a big bonus. Therefore, we are more than proud to have shown what our livery will finally be and I can’t wait to see it under the floodlights in Qatar, because for sure it will look even more amazing. Hopefully, we can see these bikes with this livery in strong positions.”

Syahrin, preparing for his second MotoGP season, said: “I’m really excited for the new livery. I think it’s truly different than everybody else on the track. We as Red Bull KTM Tech3 are one more team bringing some new colour to the circuit. 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!”

Oliveira, who had an encouraging test at Sepang recently, was also pleased: “I’m very happy with the new colours, the bike is amazing. The outlook 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 soon wants to dominate also this class and road racing in general. I’m just really proud and I feel privileged to be a part of this project.”

The same colours will be used for the rookie line-up of Philipp Oettl and Marco Bezzecchi in the Triumph-powered Moto2 class, where Tech3 previously used its own chassis.

“I’m very excited about the team presentation. I like the colours of the bike a lot and also, I can’t wait to be reunited my team and work with my new machine again," said Moto3 title contender Bezzecchi. "The bulls on the bike, that are chrome are my favourite part and I can’t wait to start this new adventure with Hervé, who is a very good boss. I enjoyed the days of testing in November with him a lot. He was always in the garage to watch what we do and how we work. At the same time, I’m very proud to be in a team like this.” 

“I can’t wait to start this new adventure together with Hervé and my team," said Oettl. "The tests in November have already been very interesting and I’m happy to be able to work and learn again with my guys soon. During this winter, I was training in Spain and Italy and I think, I’m well prepared for this season. Regarding the colours of our bike, I like the blue very much as it is a special tint, plus blue is my favourite colour as well. I’m looking forward to the first tests this year and I’m highly motivated for these new tasks.”