MotoGP: KTM reacts to the proposed abandonment of Grands Prix!

The news this Friday was clear: KTM has the opportunity to continue its business as it is, following a first meeting of creditors before the Austrian regional court. However, what fueled speculation was the news that KTM's MotoGP project could be abandoned for good.

While KTM navigates a sea of ​​debts estimated at at least 1.8 billion eurosthe brand has received a new lease of life with investors ready to inject 700 millions to help it restructure itself under self-monitoring. The number of planned layoffs was revised downwards from 500 to 300and the wages of November and December should be paid by the end of January, if all goes well.

However, the first revelations from this meeting of creditors remained silent on the fate of the MotoGP projectleaving fans in suspense. KTM issued a press release at the end of the day, indicating not to “take off the accelerator” before 2025, but without specifically mentioning its Grand Prix commitments.

The financial crisis of KTM has already had repercussions on the Moto2 categories and Moto3with the marks SCRATCH et Husqvarna which will leave the grid in 2025. However, there was a general feeling that the project MotoGP would continue at full speed.

However, according to creditor protection organization the Alpenländischer Kreditorenverband (AKV), the reorganization plans now include the withdrawal of MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 to reduce costs. This revelation constitutes a real shock for the world of motor sports.

KTM responded with a video and a statement on its website, reaffirming its commitment to motorcycling sport, but without making direct reference to specific competitions. This ambiguity suggests that the participation of KTM in MotoGP could well be at a standstill, despite previously optimistic statements.

KTM MotoGP: Towards an abrupt end to reduce costs?

The future of KTM in MotoGP remains uncertain, with a restructuring that seems to favor cost reduction over racing. The coming months will be crucial to see if KTM will manage to rectify the situation or if it will have to wipe out part of its sporting heritage.

The full press release is as follows:

« READY TO RUN is more than a slogan for KTM. It defines our existence. In competition, there are ups and downs, courage and disappointments, victories and defeats. 2024 was a year of conquests but also of challenges for the company.

As we look toward 2025 and beyond, we anticipate even more jumps, bumps, and obstacles to overcome, but we're not going to take the pressure off.

2024 was a landmark year for KTM, filled with bold innovations, thrilling victories and unwavering dedication to our customers. While challenges are part of any great journey, we view them as an opportunity to accelerate toward an even brighter future.

It is no secret that KTM AG operates in a rapidly changing economic environment. However, as our motto “READY TO RUN” emphasizes, we take this opportunity to realign, re-energize and revitalize ourselves.

KTM remains fully committed to providing exceptional experiences for our current and future customers. We will continue to generate enthusiasm and return to the podium.

Motorcycling is where we showcase our brand, our engineering and our passion for racing. Over the past year, our teams have continued their exploits. We started the season with an impressive total of 341 FIM World Championship titles.

The global racing calendar has included more than 1,000 starts and brought us 480 podiums and 246 victories in several disciplines. Of course, there were challenges and injuries, which is inherent in the field, but KTM managed to add a well-deserved 150 titles.

Off the track, the KTM brand has also been extremely active this year. The brand presented 59 new models, organized three international launches with the participation of 152 media, managed to organize three customer events with 283 participants and returned to EICMA, the largest motorcycle show in the world, with a huge 1,200 m² stand and 635 new KTM products.

We have made a great effort with these new bikes and we are trying hard to keep our momentum in the right directions. KTM is applying the same forward-looking approach during this restructuring phase.

Our goal for the next 90 days is to stabilize the business while laying the foundation for sustainable growth and future success.

Throughout this period, KTM guarantees the continuity of motorcycle deliveries through its network of authorized dealers. This also includes our spare parts, technical accessories, customer service and warranties, which remain unchanged, ensuring continued support during this period.

The work and desire to create cutting-edge, extreme and adventurous motorcycles continues. KTM is preparing the launch of a series of highly anticipated models, which will be available in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2025. This once again demonstrates our commitment to remain one of the leading motorcycle manufacturers in Europe for a long time. »