Small but exquisite: New approach for Red Bull KTM Moto Sport
. By Bikeland Staff
KTM has launched a new campaign in the 125 cc MotoGP World Championship where instead of the 2008 support to four different teams with seven riders, the Austrian manufacturer is now concentrating on a small, but exquisite two-rider factory team.
Marc Marquez of Spain and Cameron Beaubier of the USA, two of motorcycle racing's youngest and brightest talents, have been carefully selected to start for the official Red Bull KTM Moto Sport Team.
Neither Marquez, who celebrated his sixteenth birthday on February 17 nor American Beaubier who turned 16 on December 6 2008 are strangers to the KTM racing machines. Marquez has already tasted the euphoria of a MotoGP podium place as he was third at the British GP in Donington Park in the 2008 season on his KTM following on from his successful season on a KTM in the Spanish National Championships in 2007. Beaubier who contested the inaugural Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2007 and attended the 2008 Red Bull MotoGP Academy, is also very well acquainted with his KTM machine.
"Marc raced with KTM last season and he's shown speed, coolness and a remarkably mature approach despite his young age. With his outstanding talent, he has already scored a podium finish and I am convinced that we will see much more of him in the 2009 season. Cameron was one of the outstanding performers in the Rookie's Cup and the MotoGP Academy. He contested different series at the same time and couldn't win overall, but he was in for the victory wherever he raced and impressed us with his fighting spirit. Whereas Marc will be one of the true challengers this season, it's going to be a learning year for Cameron. But more than anything, our campaign is an investment in the future," says team director Harald Bartol.
Looking for constant improvement
"I think we can do well this year," agrees a delighted Marc Marquez after strong and promising runs in all pre-season tests. "The bike is the same as last year, but it's easy to notice that I'm now with the factory team. They put the bike together and know all the secrets about getting the very best performance. The engine has improved so much from test to test. It always runs like clockwork and seems to get a little faster every day."
Boost of confidence
Marquez enjoys being the centre of attention within his small and exclusive new team structure. "With seven bikes on the grid last year and another two riders in the 250 cc class, it took time to supply every rider with the latest development parts and to make sure of the best possible set-up for everybody. Now, I have the whole factory behind me and this gives me a boost of confidence. My goal for this year is to celebrate my first GP victories, but my great dream is to win the world championship with KTM!"
Tough GP racing competition
Team-mate Cameron Beaubier is no less enthusiastic. "It's really cool to be here and a great opportunity for me. I am nervous and excited at the same time," he said. "The bike feels really good. The chassis is a lot different to the bike I rode last year in the academy. It's much more stable and now it's just up to me to improve every time I get on a bike. The competition is very tough in Grand Prix racing. It's so different to anything else I've ridden before and I know it's going to be hard. I don't know what I can expect in terms of positions, so my goal is very simple: I want to improve every time I get on the bike."
A shared passion for racing
During the pre-season tests the two riders have already formed a camaraderie bond. What both share is a real passion for racing, possibly stemming from the racing gene they inherited from their respective fathers, as well as a long time love affair with motorcycles. Marquez has been competing since 1998 and Beaubier since 1997, both have gathered offroad competition experience and have also tried their hand at Supermoto. The diminutive, 160 cm Marquez, who is managed by the 1999 125 cc World Champion Emilio Alzamora, aims at battling within the front runners, and to continue his steep learning curve during the 2009 season. Meanwhile, even though far away from his family in California, Beaubier has already had time over the past two years to become accustomed to the European lifestyle. Also the son of a former motocross racer, Cameron is based in Barcelona, Spain during the European season. He continues his schooling by distant learning and it is to his advantage that he a lreadyknows at least some of the MotoGP circuits from his Red Bull Rookies and MotoGP Academy racing activities.
The bike: KTM FFR 125
With KTM's latest version of the FFR 125, both riders can rely on their KTM FFR 125. Team director and constructor Harald Bartol took full advantage of a long winter break to carefully analyse vast amounts of data from the different KTM teams last year to merge the best development parts into an outstanding new package. Radically different from the competition of mostly Aprilia and Derbi factory bikes with rotary valve intakes, the KTM FFR 125 features a reed valve intake with a very sophisticated carburation system that is backed by a small electronic fuel injection. The combination allows for a supremely precise engine set-up under all conditions, making the KTM FFR 125 very fast but also very safe to ride.
Positive results in pre-season tests
During the pre-season tests, the bike has proven to be fast and on par with the competition, but even though, Red Bull KTM Moto Sport team manager Francesco Guidotti is careful not to put too much pressure on his young riders. "Here we have two very young guys who also have a lot of talent. That's completely in keeping with the KTM philosophy of promoting the best and the brightest and always being "Ready to Race". Marc already has a season of experience and a podium to his credit. This year we will want him to keep fighting in the front group and to keep learning. Cameron on the other hand must go out and get a good understanding of all the circuits in his first year at this level of racing. What we want them to do is to build on their confidence and work on improving race by race. Although we are confident in their ability and we know they are both hard working and very focused, we know it's going to be a tough season, and we do not put any pressure on them. We understa nd thatracing MotoGP in the 125 cc class is a big deal for guys that are as young as they are. They should go out, get the experience and enjoy their racing."
The team now absolves two final days of testing in Qatar on Monday and Tuesday (April 6-7) before they take to the circuit on Friday April 10 for the opening GP of the season.
The Red Bull KTM Moto Sport Team riders in brief
Marc Marquez, Spain, 16. Second year in 125 cc MotoGP World Championships, First MotoGP podium: Third at British Grand Prix, Donington Park 2008. Bike: KTM FRR 125, single cylinder, 2-stroke (No. 96)
Cameron Beaubier, USA, 16. Rookie year in 125cc MotoGP World Championships: Contested 2007 Red Bull Rookies Cup; attended Red Bull MotoGP in 2008. Bike: KTM FRR 125, single cylinder, 2-stroke (No. 16).
16-race season for the 125 cc class
The 2009 125 cc World Championship season starts on April 12 with the night race in Qatar and concludes in Valencia, Spain on November 8. The 125 cc riders contest 16 calendar events on the MotoGP calendar.