With the KTM and GASGAS brands, the Pierer Mobility Group has two protagonists in the three classes of the motorcycle world championship, and it also has a say in the CFMOTO Moto3 team. So KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer has a lot of choices when it comes to pushing riders up to the highest category.
In the smallest World Championship class, KTM is working with the team of Finn Aki Ajo and Frenchman Hervé Poncharal again this season.
Under the Red Bull KTM Ajo banner, Turkey’s Deniz Öncü (19) and Spaniard Jose Rueda (17) will compete in the Moto3 class. Daniel Holgado (17) from Spain and Filippo Farioli (17) from Italy drive in the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team.
The four young drivers feel well prepared for 2023. “I spent the winter riding a lot of Supermoto and Enduro,” said last year’s World Championship fifth Öncü before the start in Portimao next weekend. “Then we could test in Jerez and Portimao. We’ve had some productive sessions, I’ve got a good feeling and I’m in shape. My goal is to fight for the title and develop further. I know it won’t be easy in this class given my height and weight, but we still have the potential to win this championship.”
The Turk’s Jose Rueda, who became JuniorGP champion last year and also won the Red Bull Rookies Cup, will be his new teammate.
“I’m very happy with the work we did in pre-season,” said the Spaniard. “I’m still getting used to the new bike and the team, but we’ve made some important steps in testing, particularly at Portimao. My goal in 2023 is to learn and gain experience. But of course we also want to be as competitive as possible. This is a great opportunity for me and I want to do my best.”
The Tech3 squad only tested for one day at Jerez due to bad weather. “But we could see that Daniel Holgado is strong and confident for his second year in the Moto3 World Championship and should be a title contender,” said team boss Poncharal. “He impressed us all with his attitude and commitment and you can see that he has learned a lot over the past year. On the other side of the box is Filippo Farioli – a rookie but very personable and full of life and with a positive attitude. You can tell that he has learned a lot in his racing career so far and that he comes across as very professional in his way of working. Filippo is not a guy you have to push, you have to hold him back. The speed is there, he just needs to get to know the Moto3 World Championship and its incredible level.”
“I’m ready for the start of the season,” emphasizes Holgado, who finished tenth in the World Championship last year. «It’s been a busy winter with a lot of training and cycling and I have clear goals. I want to fight for the podium and get top five results on a regular basis. I think it’s possible because my first feeling with the 2023 bike at Jerez was really good.”