Engineer Leaves Honda, Rejoins KTM
H
onda pulled off something of
a coup in 2025 by tempting
Kurt Trieb from KTM. His depar-
ture represented a blow to the
Austrian factory after one of the
most respected engine engineers
in the business decided to leave
for a fresh challenge.
Yet Trieb's stint at HRC was a
remarkably short one. Hired to
work on the engine of the fac
-
tory's new 850cc MotoGP ma-
chine, Cycle News has learned
he quickly became worn down
by constant traveling between
Europe and Japan.
It now appears that Trieb is set
to spectacularly rejoin KTM in the
coming months.
Neil Morrison
WIND
IN THE
P34
Kurt Trieb is back in KTM colors after not even a full year at HRC.
Ogura Poised for Yamaha Switch
A
i Ogura is lined up for a sen-
sational switch to Yamaha's
factory team in 2027, as was first
reported by Motorsport.com.
The 2024 Moto2 World Cham-
pion has enjoyed an extremely
competitive start to the 2026
MotoGP season, finishing each of
the top five races (Sprints in-
cluded) inside the top six. He also
cruelly missed out on a premier-
class debut podium due to a
mechanical issue in Austin.
It appears he will join Jorge
Martin in switching from Aprilia
machinery for Yamaha's new
850cc machine next year and will
go straight into the factory team.
Luca Marini had previously been linked
to the seat alongside Martin next year.
The move confirms Toprak Razgatlio
-
glu's place at Pramac Yamaha for next
year, while Alex Rins appears to
be out of premier-class options
for 2027.
Neil Morrison
Ai Ogura is set for a Yamaha
switch next year, one that
leaves Alex Rins out of options
to stay in the premier class.
