Ajo to stay in Moto2, Moto3 with Red Bull KTM links

Ajo Motorsport has confirmed it will continue to compete in both Moto2 and Moto3 from 2020 with backing from Red Bull and KTM as it outlines its own changes.

Having linked up with KTM at the start of 2017 for the intermediate class, Ajo Motorsport has been running the Austrian brand’s chassis in both Moto2 and Moto3.

But following KTM’s withdrawal announcement from Moto2 next season, it meant Ajo would require a chassis switch for 2020.

The team has confirmed it will continue to compete in both classes in 2020 and in Moto2 will move to an unnamed “different package” – widely expected to be Kalex – having retained Jorge Martin and signed up Iker Lecuona as current rider Brad Binder steps up to MotoGP next year.

In Moto3 Ajo’s squad will continue to compete with KTM-badged bikes running under the Red Bull KTM banner.

“I am very happy to have such a strong project in place for next year in the intermediate class,” Aki Ajo, team manager, said. “Jorge Martin and Iker Lecuona are, without a doubt, two great young talents.

“We have spent three years working together with KTM and Red Bull in the Moto2 class, achieving success together, and that is why it is important to continue to cooperate closely.

“Same with the Moto3, where we continue our co-operation with KTM and Red Bull, and the work of building up young talents towards MotoGP, especially now that KTM will put even more focus on the technical development for MotoGP and Moto3 classes.

“With the new focal setpoints and strategy we aim to the very top positions in both classes, including with the Moto3 project, where we've developed future talents in the past years. We will now take the next step and come back into the World Championship title fight.”

KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer says this agreement fortifies the manufacturer’s direct pathway for riders stretching from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies’ Cup all the way to MotoGP.

“We are really happy to have such young talents as Jorge Martin and Iker Lecuona in our KTM MotoGP Academy to follow riders such as Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder,” Beirer said.

“For this project we are counting heavily on our long term partner Aki Ajo and his team. KTM will continue supporting him on this path with the difference that we are stepping out of Moto2 as a chassis manufacturer.

“With this step, we underline an even stronger commitment to Moto3, in which we rely on our own complete motorcycle, and pushing with a lot of effort towards making up the missing gap that brings our MotoGP project to an absolute success.”

KTM will also bring its sister Husqvarna brand back to Moto3 next season.

Ajo Motorsport claimed consecutive Moto2 titles when partnered with Kalex in 2015 and 2016 with Johann Zarco, while the Finnish team has collected four Moto3/125cc world titles – including most recently in 2016 with Binder on KTM machinery.