KTM has announced a reshuffle in its MotoGP line-up for the 2020 season, with Brad Binder promoted to the senior team, and Iker Lecuona recruited to Tech3.
KTM had been set to retain Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco, with Moto2 front-runner Binder to join Miguel Oliveira at the satellite Tech3 outfit.
But KTM and Zarco opted to sever their two-year deal and the Frenchman was ousted after last month’s San Marino Grand Prix, with tester Mika Kallio taking his place.
Binder was due to take Hafizh Syahrin’s spot at Tech3 but will instead graduate from Moto2 straight to the factory team.
That left Binder’s planned spot vacant and instead Lecuona – who was set to remain in Moto2 – will graduate to the premier class with Tech3.
“It was clear that our plans for 2020 needed to change following our mid-season announcement,” said KTM chief Pit Beirer.
“After some thought and talks we decided to move in this direction and let the young, hungry guys with good experience in the other categories of MotoGP show us what they can do.
“Brad is a rider that has made his way through the KTM structure and we have no doubt whatsoever that he can walk into the Red Bull KTM team and keep showing that same style and never-give-up attitude we have seen for a long time.
“Iker comes into the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team and we’re super-confident that Hervé [Poncharal] and his guys will be able to help and develop another rookie like they have done so well with Miguel this year.
“We know we are making good and exciting steps with our MotoGP project and with next season now fixed we can really start building up to this new chapter.”
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