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The Northern Talent Cup will draw 24 riders (in the first year of 2020) between the ages of 12 and 17 for a seven round, one-make, cost-effective series with at least two of the events taking place alongside MotoGP fixtures. The scheme will compliment the other elements in Dorna’s development structure but with a firm emphasis on junior prospects from northern and central Europe. KTM will supply the 250cc four-stroke KTM RC4R that will be set and locked for several years in terms of technical specification. For the company it means an even wider reach into the fabric of international road racing and a more crucial role in the ‘Road to MotoGP’. KTM have already backed the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup with extremely competitive KTM RC250 R motorcycles from 2012 and are now into a thirteenth season overall. The brightest racers from the ‘NTC’ will be promoted into the Red Bull Rookies Cup the following year whereupon the FIM CEV Junior World Championship or elevation straight into Moto3 Grand Prix then beckons. As a result of their official collaboration with the Northern Talent Cup KTM could potentially see a Grand Prix star rise from the very first professional laps on a world championship spec circuit, through the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup into Moto3, Moto2 and then one of Red Bull KTM’s MotoGP teams right at the pinnacle of the sport. Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director: “First of all we are very proud that we have been selected by Dorna Sports and ADAC as a partner for the new Northern Talent Cup on the Road to MotoGP™. It’s a great pleasure to work with young, talented riders and KTM is successfully doing this in other racing disciplines. We share the opinion that an easy entry-level bike was missing in the past, and we are happy to provide the appropriate machine for young riders with the ambition to reach the Moto3 category. This is especially true in relation to handling, service and cost efficiency. It was important to offer an optimal price-service ratio. We are looking forward to the launch of the Northern Talent Cup with exciting riders and race action. I am sure this concept will find and produce new northern and central European talent in road racing.” |
