KTM Hopeful of
Continuing Tech3
Relationship
K
TM is confident of retaining Tech3
as its MotoGP satellite team beyond
2026 despite the significant changes to
the French squad.
For the first time in its history, Herve
Poncharal has stepped aside, with Guen
-
ther Steiner leading the takeover and now
holding the CEO role of the team.
Despite his extensive experience with
the Haas team in Formula One, Steiner
called himself "a rookie" at the MotoGP
launch in Kuala Lumpur. The German also previ
-
ously indicated Tech3 could favor a switch to
Ducati machinery in the future.
Yet KTM's Motorsport Director Pit Beirer was
emphatic when asked if he wanted to keep Tech3
as part of its MotoGP project. "Absolutely," he
said. "That's priority number one. At the moment
there's a situation where not one manufacturer
has a contract with Dorna for the future contract
period. That's why no one is doing a deal with
satellite teams.
"But I spoke to Guenther Steiner [recently], he
was in Austria. He wants to stay with us. We want
them to stay with us. We work on that. It's a free
market, of course. When contracts are up, it's nor
-
mal that everybody is talking to everybody.
"Tech3 is our partner going into the future. I got
the same feeling from Guenther, and that's what
we're working on in the next few weeks. And yes,
we want to have a satellite team, 100 percent."
Neil Morrison
VOLUME ISSUE FEBRUARY , P29
Despite his extensive experience with
KTM is keen to ensure Tech3 remains.
Smith To Make
450SX Debut
T
riumph's Jordon Smith will make
his season and 450SX debut at this
weekend's Arlington Supercross. Smith
injured his shoulder during the Mon-
ster Energy SuperMotocross finals last
year. The injury required surgery, which
delayed his Supercross debut in the
450SX class.
The team's Jalek Swoll will also be
back in action. Swoll has been dealing
with several injuries from last year, the
latest being a calf injury suffered at the
Washougal Motocross. He's also been dealing
with a torn ligament in his thumb. But he's now
healed up and ready to race again, seeking the
250SX East Championship.
Austin Forkner, who had been filling in for Smith
in the 450SX, is also recovering from an injury.
CN
Jordon Smith will make his
season and 450SX debut this
weekend in Arlington.
