KTM at its 2025 MotoGP launch: "We are here to race"

KTM refrained from talking about its financial problems at the launch of its 2025 MotoGP bike on Thursday.

Ahead of the shakedown test at the Sepang International Circuit from 31 January to 2 February, the Austrian manufacturer revealed four identical RC16s in a joint presentation with its satellite team Tech3.

KTM released several videos that were pre-recorded at a studio, but neither the management nor its four riders mentioned the company's battle to pull itself out of administration.

That was despite lingering doubts over the long-term future of its involvement in MotoGP, amid mounting debts for KTM and its sister brands.

The company owes €2.2 billion to various creditors, who will vote on a final resolution of its insolvency plan on 25 February. Creditors had been putting pressure on KTM to withdraw from MotoGP and cut down costs in order to put itself on a stronger financial footing.

KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer will address questions about the company's financial situation later in the day, but during the launch he said the focus was firmly on racing.

"There have been many questions but we have been clear since the last day of the 2024 season: we are here to race and we are very serious about success in this fantastic championship that spreads motorcycling and motorcycle racing to many corners of the world," he said.

Pit Beirer, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (Photo by: KTM Images)

"2025 has started strongly for us with the important Dakar victory and also winning in AMA Supercross, now it is a real pleasure to present our MotoGP teams and see our bike ready to race for the ninth year in a row.

"Competition is such a big part of KTM's DNA and we are committed. For the coming season and with Brad, Pedro, Enea and Maverick as well as all the experience and knowledge in the pitboxes there is a lot of positivity and adrenaline to get started.

"This season could be massive for us, and I hope it will be."

KTM had to pause the development of the RC16 over the winter as the company's deepening financial woes started taking a toll on its MotoGP programme.

However, new team manager Aki Ajo is confident about the company's prospects in 2025, a year where it has strengthened its ties with RC16 to effectively turn it into a second factory team.

"We are enthusiastic about the season ahead of us," he said. "We have been working hard during the winter to develop our project and the RC16 to be even faster and better than last season.

"Our aim is high, but we are prepared to keep working hard, and it is a joy to have such skilled and dedicated people in the project, and in the company.

"Our motivation is high, and I believe that we have made some important progress to enhance our performance. We have also strong and experienced riders, and we are all very motivated and look forward to the action of the new 2025 season.

"Thank you to all the staff, partners and the management and all the people at KTM that have shown big support MotoGP project. We are ready to race."