KTM has hinted it could be prepared to expand its operation in MotoGP with the introduction of the GASGAS brand in the coming years following a successful move into Moto3 for 2021.
The Austrian manufacturer has emerged a foremost ‘superpower’ in the grand prix paddock over the past 18 months following a successful upturn in form in MotoGP, together with enduring success at Moto2 and Moto3.
With now five wins to its name in MotoGP, the most recent of which coming on home soil at the Red Bull Ring over the weekend courtesy of Brad Binder, KTM is now considering how to expand its foundations in the future.
Integral to these plans appears to be how to promote its latest acquisition, GASGAS.
KTM purchased the Spanish firm - well known for its enduro and motocross machines - in 2019 and has been busily developing a new model plan that will see it selling dedicated roadgoing models in the near future, including an ADV model based around the KTM 790/890 Adventure.
In the meantime, GASGAS - a familiar name in MX circles - was given its short track racing debut this year with an entry into the Moto3 World Championship in conjunction with defending champion Aspar.
Though more of a branding exercise in that the GASGAS team - like sister firm Husqvarna which also races in Moto3 - uses rebranded KTM-built machinery, it has been a successful endeavour with Sergio Garcia now a three-time race winner and leading the chase in the overall standings to KTM’s own leader Pedro Acosta. In fact, with Romano Fenati in third place, KTM-GASGAS-Husqvarna occupy the top three in the overall standings.
For now the plan is to promote GASGAS to the Moto2 World Championship - possibly with Aspar - next season, but beyond that KTM boss Stefan Pierer has hinted it could be prepared to take the firm all the way to MotoGP.
“That is also a solution, yes,” smiled Pierer. "Never say Never, but first we see that we can bring together a GASGAS team for the Moto2 World Championship,”
How would a GASGAS MotoGP entry work?
Admittedly, any GASGAS entry would not be a dedicated works-backed entry and would instead heavily involve KTM.
Even a Moto2 entry would be tenuous since KTM doesn’t produce a chassis anymore, with the KTM-backed Ajo Motorsport team - which leads the way with Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez - actually running Kalex bikes.
In MotoGP, there is the potential for GASGAS to be introduced as a de facto manufacturer but use customer KTM bikes - like a satellite team - maybe in conjunction with Tech 3 Racing. However, GASGAS has clearly established a good relationship with Aspar, a team with plenty of MotoGP experience itself.
Moreover, Dorna would likely jump at the opportunity to have a Spanish flagged manufacturer competing in MotoGP.
As for Husqvarna, the manufacturer’s likely shift towards more eco-conscious motorcycling means it is likely GASGAS will take precedence in a racing sense.
