KTM confirmed on Thursday that Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini will complete its rider line-up in the newly rebranded Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP squad in 2025.
The news follows several moves in the continually developing 2025 rider market.
Having already confirmed sensational rookie Pedro Acosta will ride for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing squad in 2025 alongside Brad Binder, the Austrian marque has confirmed Tech3 will enjoy full-factory KTM RC16 machinery in a multi-year agreement to form a four-strong effort with Vinales and Bastianini.
Bastianini, a multiple Grand Prix winner with Ducati found himself in search of a ride following the news Marc Marquez had taken his place within the factory Ducati set-up for 2025 and beyond.
Meanwhile, Vinales, the first rider to win Grands Prix with three manufacturers (Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprilia) has elected to depart Aprilia after joining the squad partway through the 2021 campaign.
That leaves the Noale factory in search of a second rider to partner with new signing Jorge Martin next season in the wake of Aleix Espargaro’s retirement plans.
Both of KTM’s new acquisitions have raced with the manufacturer before with Bastianini debuting in World Championship competition with the marque and Vinales winning the 2013 Moto3 title aboard a KTM.
“We are delighted to announce that Enea and Maverick will be with us next year and we convert back to KTM,” said Tech3 Racing MotoGP Team Manager, Nicolas Goyon.
“We cannot forget our first MotoGP wins were taken in orange!
“We cannot hide our pride that these two talented riders have decided to ride our bikes.
“It shows we’ve followed the right road, and our technology can fight at the front for the championship.
“We would like to thank Pierer Mobility AG for the quality of their support. Our collaboration has reached the top level this year and I’m sure it will keep growing in the future.
“We’d also like to thank Red Bull for their dedication with us. We have a clear commitment towards victory and that’s why Enea and Maverick have decided to join the program.”
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director added: “We’re very happy we could bring both Enea and Maverick into our MotoGP project and give them full factory backing and support to keep following their goals and to reach their maximum performance.
“It’s clear we are talking about two of the fastest riders in the world right now and it is a compliment that they trust us and the first-class operation we’ve created together with Red Bull KTM Tech3.
“The team’s label for 2025 says it all: it is time to strengthen the KTM name again and we couldn’t think of a better way to bring this kind of value to the company than for Enea and Maverick to go full Red Bull orange.
“Let’s push on for the rest of 2024 now and then look forward to this new start for next year.”
In light of KTM’s announcement, Jack Miller and Agusto Fernandez now find themselves in search of a new ride for next season.
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