Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1483118
Husqvarna Motorcycles Expands Road Racing Presence for 2023 H usqvarna Motorcycles is hoping to become a protagonist in yet another sphere of MotoGP next year after forging a union with Moto2 team Intact GP to form "Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP." The name of the squad will cover racing wings in both the intermedi- ate category and in Moto3. Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Moto3 will be managed by overseer of the current GP crew, Peter Ottl, and will retain the services of Ayumu Sasaki, together with the promise of young Dutchman Collin Veijer. Sasaki, at 22 years old, has had a positive 2022 campaign on the FR 250 GP so far, claiming events in the Neth- erlands and Austria and with an additional six podium finishes. The Japanese is pushing for the top three in the Moto3 Champi- onship standings. Veijer, 17, has won three races in the '22 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and is still in contention for the title. The Dutch youngster will be a Grand Prix rookie in 2023. The experience and expertise of Team Manager Jurgen Lingg will be a big asset for Husqvarna Motorcycles' first thrust into Moto2 and the standardized formula of the final "stepping stone" to the MotoGP class. The new look outfit will be able to count on the pace and character of Darryn Binder as well as Lukas Tulovic. Binder, just 24, has won in Moto3 and is on the verge of completing a decent first term in MotoGP after an unex- pected vault between the divisions at the end of 2021. The South Afri- can is renowned for his determina- tion and dedication and although he will again be a debutant when it comes to Moto2 he will be able to harness copious lessons from his eight-year career to-date. Tulovic is the newly crowned Moto2 Euro- pean champion for the Liqui Moly Intact GP Junior Team and has made Moto2 GP appearances, the 22-year-old German has also turned his head to recent MotoE competition and is regarded as "one to watch" by the team. Peter Ottl, Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Moto3 Team Manager, said, "For three seasons we have been able to carry the Husqvarna Motorcycles name highly in Moto3 and it is very satisfying to continue the story together with Jurgen and a bigger pro- gram now in Moto2. Ayumu stays with us and after some excellent results in 2022 we hope we can go for even more in 2023. Collin, on the other hand, is a rider with a lot of potential and we trust that he will carry on learning and building his career." Jurgen Lingg, Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 Team Manager, said, "We are very grateful to Husqvarna Mo- torcycles for the trust they have placed in us. This merger is a new and an exciting step for our team, ushering in a new era. We have a new brand, new riders and a new direction. In 2023 the bikes will change color and we are all motivated and convinced that this change will take us forward." Jens Hainbach, Husqvarna Motorcycles Head of Sports Management Road Racing, said, "Finally we have been able to grow the white and blue from Moto3 to Moto2 and I cannot be happier with our new partners to take Husqvarna Motorcycles into the next era." CN IN THE WIND P44 Husqvarna says it will field a team in Moto2 next year.