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/789906
IN THE WIND P38 KTM FORMALLY UNVEILS 2017 MOTOGP TEAM T he Red Bull KTM MotoGP team's livery was formally unveiled in a ceremony in Austria, February 20. The 2017 season marks the first time KTM has participated in the highest level of road rac- ing in an official capacity, with former Tech3 Yamaha riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith charged with the development of the RC16. "Why MotoGP? Well, this came to us from the market," said KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. "Three years ago we overtook our competitor BMW in terms of sales, and we became the third biggest manufacturer of sports motorcycles in the world. I talked to Pit (Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director), and he set up a perfect program. His priority was to set up the infrastructure here with all the know-how, and all the people. I think it's the benchmark worldwide and with this three- year program we did our home- work and now it's getting real." "It's beautiful, and riding the bike is beautiful. It feels really good," said Espargaro. "We are making huge steps forward, and we're improving. Every time we jump on the bike we are closer to the others, and it is great to see the evolution." "This is something that you have always wished for and that you've worked for throughout your career," said Smith. "Final- ly, when you get the opportunity, there's the pressure that goes with it, but I certainly embrace the opportunity I have." Also un- veiled were KTM's Moto3 and all new Moto2 teams, with current Moto3 World Champion, South Africa's Brad Binder, headlining the Moto2 outfit. He'll be joined by Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira, while the Moto3 outfit will host Italian Niccolo Antonelli and Dutchman Bo Bendsney- der. CN The KTM team will be a huge force in all three classes in 2017 MotoGP. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE JAY "PEE WEE" GLEASON PASSES L egendary drag racer Jay "Pee Wee" Gleason passed away over the February 13-14 weekend. The details of his passing are not yet known. Gleason, who never did embrace the nickname Pee Wee, was an accomplished all-around motor- cycle rider but his specialty was on the quarter mile, finding the horsepower limits of whatever motorcycle was underneath him, especially production motor- cycles that he helped test for multiple motorcycle magazines in the 1980s. In 1986, he broke the record—for the second time—for the quickest and fastest production motorcycle ever in the quarter mile aboard the Yamaha V-Max. Gleason did many pro- motional events for Yamaha, including a memorable exhibition on the V-Max in the parking lot of the now Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Bob Starr, General Manager of Communication at Yamaha Motor U.S., said, "Pee Wee is a huge part of the Yamaha V-Max legend. His talent on a drag bike helped us sell a lot of V-Max motorcycles, and he will forever be associated with the fabled, V4-powered, Sport Heritage machine. We will miss him, but we will never forget him. "Jay 'Pee Wee' Gleason was one of a kind; a soft- spoken, yet highly talented drag bike racer. God- speed, Pee Wee." CN