KTM reveals 2020 colours, new look for Tech3

KTM has shown off its revised MotoGP team colours as it officially launches its 2020 campaign, with satellite squad Tech3 catching the eye with a new livery.

After returning from Sepang following the shakedown and official pre-season tests, KTM has stepped up its preparations for the new season with its 2020 team launch in Austria.

The factory Red Bull KTM squad retains Pol Espargaro for his fourth season on the RC16 and he is partnered by rookie Brad Binder who steps up from Moto2 for 2020. At Red Bull KTM Tech3, Miguel Oliveira is taking on his second season in the premier class and is also joined by a MotoGP rookie in Iker Lecuona who made his MotoGP race debut at the 2019 Valencian Grand Prix filling in when Oliveira was injured.

Red Bull KTM has also retained its familiar orange branding and Red Bull sponsorship, while Tech3 has gained a fresh look with ‘Organics by Red Bull’ giving the team a new design for the RC16.

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director, feels despite bumpy progress the Austrian manufacturer has produced across its early seasons in the premier class, the brand can be confident in climbing up the pecking order as he targets consistent top 10 results for 2020.

“I’d say we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be. If we were any further ahead we might become overconfident,” Beirer said. “We have everything on a roadmap and we've followed it with the full support of the company, the entire Executive Board.

“It was a real struggle at first. But our first successes came relatively quickly. You could feel a sense of euphoria, but those of us at the head of the project, Mike [Leitner, team manager] and I, we were a bit more cautious.

“We never felt completely euphoric because we knew we might have gained a few World Championship points because five riders had crashed out or because of some other event. We could see that we weren't necessarily on a steep trajectory.

“So now we have work ahead if we are to become more stable and consistently deliver top 10 results without relying on luck. You don’t win championships with luck but with hard work. But I think we have a really good plan and we are heading in the right direction.”

2020 marks the second season KTM has four RC16 bikes on the grid following Tech3’s deal to become its satellite team having split from Yamaha.

KTM can also rely on its experienced test team headed by Dani Pedrosa with help from Mika Kallio who was part of the first steps in its MotoGP project.

MotoGP pre-season testing resumes at the Losail International Circuit on February 22-24, before the Qatari track hosts the 2020 opener on March 8.