KTM

Hervé Poncharal has claimed Bradley Smith returning to his team in 2019 ‘doesn’t make sense’, and has reiterated his belief that Tech 3 has a role within KTM as a ‘junior MotoGP team’ whereby it will educate younger riders.

The chief executive of Sepang International Circuit has moved to pour cold water on rumours the track is seeking to fund a takeover of an existing MotoGP team for 2019, and said the priority remains for Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin to stay with Tech3 for a second successive season.

Having looked longingly across the KTM garage as test rider Mika Kallio gave the '2019 prototype' it's grand prix debut at Jerez, Pol Espargaro was all smiles after getting back on the machine during the Monday test.

'It makes sense for Tech3 to have also the Moto2 team racing with KTM machinery'

KTM hasn't had much to celebrate on track in MotoGP so far this season, but Pol Espargaro gave the Austrian factory a shot in the arm by setting the third fastest time (+0.043s) in opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

Bradley Smith has not given up hope of competing in the MotoGP class aboard KTM machinery in 2019 after admitting it was “hard to swallow” the news of the Austrian factory’s acquisition of Johann Zarco for next season.

KTM has officially confirmed that Johann Zarco will race for its factory MotoGP team in 2019 and 2020.

Pol Espargaro has secured a new deal with Red Bull KTM to keep him at the team until at least the end of the 2020 season.

KTM will head for the start of the European season having scored eight points from the opening flyaway rounds of the 2018 MotoGP campaign.

It's been rumoured since last November, but now it sounds like Johann Zarco has finally put pen to paper on a Red Bull KTM MotoGP deal.

Jack Miller came out the wrong side of a 'good clean battle' with former team-mate Tito Rabat over eighth place on the final lap of Sunday's Austin MotoGP.

Free Practice (2) results from the Americas Moto2 Grand Prix, round 3 of 19.

John McPhee travels to Argentina for the second round of the Moto3 championship believing he and his CIP KTM have the potential to challenge for the race win after an impressive fight-back through the field in Qatar.

Sam Lowes has revealed a transmission issue was at fault for his premature exit from his first race back in the Moto2 class in Qatar, but remains convinced of his race winning potential with the current KTM package.

Bradley Smith was the only KTM rider to reach the finish of the Qatar season opener, in 18th place and 31.7s from victory. That was eight seconds closer than Smith had been at the same event the previous year, when team-mate Pol Espargaro finished 16th and 33.6s from the front.

John McPhee has stated his aim for 2018 is to be regularly among the podium places and challenging for race wins as he prepares for his sixth season in the Moto3 class.

Runner-up in Qatar for the past three years, few would be surprised if Andrea Dovizioso is once again fighting for victory in Sunday's 2018 MotoGP season opener. In 2015 Dovizioso was just 0.174s from victory, then +2.019s in 2016 and +0.461s in 2017.

KTM hopes Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith will be able to take the 'next steps' during the factory's second season of MotoGP, which begins in Qatar next weekend.

Sam Lowes believes 2018 represents his best chance to win a world title in grand prix yet after recent outings in Spain confirmed his speed and outright pace aboard KTM's Moto2 chassis.

Pol Espargaro, Bradley Smith join KTM management for 2018 team launch in Austria…

Sam Lowes flies to Qatar this week with a point to prove. Returning to the Moto2 class in 2018 after a troubled rookie MotoGP campaign with Aprilia, the Englishman is eager to remind the paddock of his talents while beginning his fight for a second world title.

Danilo Petrucci "My score out of 10? 8. " "I am really satisfied with the tests."

KTM has officially confirmed that Tech3 will become its satellite MotoGP team from 2019.

Pol Espargaro has explained the reasoning behind his decision to sit out the second day of MotoGP testing in Qatar, stating he was unable to ride as he pleased due to the niggling effects of the recent surgery he had on his back.