Moto2: Bezzecchi and Oettl go to Moto2 with ‘revised’ Poncharal KTM team

Current Moto3 championship leader Marco Bezzecchi and Philipp Oettl, the Spanish Moto3 winner, will join Herve Poncharal’s revised Moto2 team, as the outfit moves to KTM chassis manufacturer for the 2019 season.

Tech 3 as a chassis manufacturer have thus far taken one win in the Moto2 class, with Yuki Takahashi at the 2010 Catalan GP. Bradley Smith and Xavi Vierge have both been podium finishers for the team too.

Marco Bezzecchi has had a stellar season in Moto3, with him being the championship leader after another top six ride at Brno, whilst Jorge Martin didn’t start the race. Philipp Oettl was the winner of the Spanish GP Moto3 race this year, beating Bezzecchi in a head-to-head battle on the last lap.

“I’m more than happy to join the orange family and what we will face next year as a challenge is unique and it never happened before; the fact that KTM will have four bikes on the grid with the same spec. I don’t think it has been done in the past and like Mr. Pierer says I think it will speed-up the project. I would like to make him proud,” said Poncharal, now looking to a new future with KTM in both Moto2 and MotoGP.

“It will take time but I’d like to take KTM where they want to be as soon as possible. We know that a European manufacturer can lead a championship if they are prepared to work hard, work well and with the right people around. KTM do not have unrealistic goals. Our new Moto2 line-up has only been possible thanks to Mr. Pierer, Mr. Beirer and Red Bull, of course, and we are very proud of that. We can look to the future with these guys and they are very promising.”