Sport – KTM unveils its RC390 Cup … and its other desires – KTM occasions

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KTM unveils its RC390 Cup … and its other desires

Sport - KTM unveils its RC390 Cup ... and its other desires - KTM occasions

KTM presented its brand new sports car, the RC390, which will be the subject of a marque in Germany in 2014, and possibly in France in 2015. The Austrian brand does not hide its attraction for the Moto2 either. and the World Superbike…

KTM presented on the sidelines of the Moto GP event at the Sachsenring last week (read our), a brand new model: the RC390, pure tracker derived from the small – but strong! – 390 Duke roadster (read).

Paradoxically, the small 375 cc single-cylinder is slightly restricted in this "100% racing" version: "the RC390 Cup makes 38 horsepower because, in coordination with ADAC, KTM has developed a motorcycle with performances corresponding to young riders", specifies the managers of KTM France.

Indeed, this new motorcycle will replace from next year the 125 2-stroke which had been used for 20 years by young German riders to become the glove in the ADAC Junior Cup….

"Since 1993 ADAC has done a great job with up-and-coming pilots in the Junior Cup", acknowledges Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM. The presence alongside Luis Salom – current leader of the Moto3 championship – of young Philip Ottl at the press conference proves it: detected in the ADAC Junior Cup, Philip is playing his first season this year in Grand Prix at the controls of a Kalex-KTM.

"The promotion and support of young talents is also a very important aspect for KTM", insists the Big Boss of Oranges."We are happy to bring all our energy to it because we are actively engaged in the promotion of young riders in off-road and asphalt sports.".

Good news for the little French: "a cut of RC390 would be possible in France", assures us the managers of the Orange brand in our territory,"not for next season, but for the 2015 season"…

Also on the asphalt of our "open" roads, the future RC390 – which will in turn be unveiled next November at the Milan Motor Show – will try to encourage young A2 licensees to ride in sport, a category of motorcycles that used to be very popular….

"A "homologated" RC390 is on the program for the second half of 2014", confirms KTM France,"the price is not fixed, but she will have ABS", like his little sisters Duke 125 and 390, naturlich !

This RC390 is barely presented when the great chef of the Oranges already imagines increasing the displacement of his small sports car to 500 cc in order, according to him, to make the Moto2 championship more attractive….

RC390 then RC490 ?

"I think the existing concept of the 4-cylinder (600 cc derived from the Honda CBR600RR, NDLR) will disappear because it is boring", loose the – always very – talkative leader. Stefan Pierer recognizes that the action on the track is omnipresent but regrets that the Moto2 is more like a branded cup than a real championship.

"Suter who competes against Kalex? Nobody will pay for it", slice the big boss of Katoche."The promoter will have to act and the most logical approach (and the most interesting for KTM, NDLR!) will be to take the good concept they have in Moto3".

"So … let’s make a 500 twin", concludes Heir Pierer,"components of 250 cc single cylinders can be used. Some manufacturers would have no trouble getting started".

As for the World Superbike, a category where six manufacturers are already competing (Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki), Pierer believes that it is still too early to enter KTM there, but he admits to monitoring developments closely. of this championship.

"What would be good for the Superbike would be the adoption of the same technical regulations whether at world level, in the United States or in Germany…", he remarks,"as is the case in motocross. It would become interesting"

World Superbike rather than MotoGP

Titled in 2011 in the German Championship (IDM), could the RC8 R? "We have some ideas", Stefan Pierer replies,"but I don’t think a KTM WSBK team can arrive in the next two or three years".

"The developing twin is powerful and maybe produced and it’s just a matter of budget, and you need an experienced manager as well as good pilots, especially at the start", exposes the CEO.

"I remember almost ten years ago when we started in the 125 2-stroke Grand Prix, we struggled the first year, but then we signed Casey Stoner as a young driver, and that’s the guy who has driven the bike to its limits, to a competitive level".

However, do not talk to him about MotoGP! "Marquez is the only note of freshness in this category. Without him I think it would be the most boring class. For me, there is no challenge. In Superbike, it’s a little different", bounces Mister Pierer.

"If the regulations go down to accessible levels and the motorcycles remain close to a standard model, without meeting a minimum sales volume (the RC8 R was registered in 22 copies this first semester in France, Editor’s note …), we could think about it. Really. Some changes are planned in WSB and they seem to be going in the right direction".

Will the leaders of FIM and Dorna respond to these – new – calls from KTM’s foot? The case remains to be followed, on Site of course. Stay connected !

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