MX: KTM names strong rider roster

KTM has announced a strong roster of riders for the 2010 MX World Championship.

The manufacturer made its announcement in Italy at the weekend as it launched the new KTM 350-SX-F which will be run by the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team this year.

In the MX1 category, the team will run reigning champion Antonio Cairoli, signed from Yamaha, runner-up Max Nagl and Portuguese star Rui Goncalves, who steps up to the premier category after finishing fifth in MX2 in 2009.

KTM’s MX2 roster is made up of reigning champion Marvin Musquin, British rider Shaun Simpson and Dutch youngster Jeffrey Herlings. Steffi Laier will return to defend her title in the Women’s World Championship.

"Our factory riders are proven talent and we as a company recognise that the real race is not just on the track but also off it,” said KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. “That is why we strive to produce cutting edge technology and to have it reflected in products like the new KTM 350 SX-F.

“Our Ready to Race philosophy means we must have the best factory riders on our KTM bikes but we must also consider the next generation of young talent. The Red Bull KTM Racing Team is a good reflection of this and we are confident that we can be a force to be reckoned with in both MX1 and MX2 this season. It is also a great vote of confidence from the private teams that this season there will be more than 20 KTM bikes in the GP paddock."

Watch every round of the MX1, MX2 and Women’s MX World Championships LIVE on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545) in 2010.


Andy Wilkinson