KTM’sRacing teams are undergoing a bit of a management shakeup. New managers for several racing disciplines now lead in the KTM paddocks.

迈克Leitner

Perhaps the most noticeable replacement is KTM MotoGP boss, Mike Leitner. Leitner’s efforts helped the KTM MotoGP team quickly become competitive in the highest level of motorcycle road racing. Ultimately, the KTM Tech 3 team would score three MotoGP wins in 5 short years.

Unfortunately, the team slipped in 2021 from a contending fourth to a distant fifth in the manufacturer’s championship. And they dropped from third to sixth in the team standings. The downfall apparently did not impress KTM executive management, and Leitner got the boot.

With the announcement of Leitner’s departure, Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director, said:

“Mike has been a key figure in our mission to fight against the best in the world of road racing. Together we created a MotoGP structure with the right staff and the right riders which achieved outstanding results at the pinnacle of the sport. We started building our RC16 and the whole plan from a blank piece of paper and under his guidance we put a great team together; one that took on the challenge of MotoGP.

Now, after seven years together, we decided to reorganize our MotoGP leadership for the future, and I cannot express how much we want to thank him for all the work he put into this project. Mike pushed very hard to get us from the back of the grid to the front row and his dedication has played a major part in our success story.”

It didn’t take long for KTM to announce Leitner’s replacement. The Austrian manufacturer has replaced him with Pramac Ducati boss Francesco Guidotti.

Norbert Stadlbauer

And for the 2022 Dakar, there’s a new leader at the helm. The upcoming rally sees Norbert Stadlbauer taking the role of KTM Dakar Rally Team Manager. And he’s optimistic about this year’s KTM Dakar Rally Team:

“It’s going to be my first year attending the Dakar as Rally Team Manager and definitely something I’ve been looking forward to since taking the position. It’s a hugely important race for KTM, and the whole team have put in a massive effort for this main event, with their training, preparation, and with the new bike.

In terms of the riders, Matthias (Walkner) has made a big improvement in his speed and consistency over the last year, and that has allowed him to claim the world championship – he can deliver when he needs to.

Kevin (Benevides) is the reigning Dakar champion and knows exactly what is needed to be on top at the end of the final stage. He’s spent a lot of time training and working on the new bike this year and we can’t wait to see him perform on the KTM.

Thankfully Toby (Price) is almost back to 100% now and you can never rule him out of a Dakar win – he seems to be able to just push a button and be right up front.

Finally, it’s great to have Danilo (Petrucci) join the rally program from MotoGP™. He’s shown great skill on the bike already in what is a big and exciting new challenge for him. His goal this year is just to finish the race, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how he progresses through the event.”

Antti Kallonen

In its offroad division, Antti Kallonen is now the Director of Offroad Racing for KTM North America. He comes to his new position after serving as the longtime team manager of the FMF KTM Factory Racing squad.

KTM says that Kallonen’s new role will allow him to:

“…retain a more strategic and senior position in all of KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles and GASGAS North America’s offroad, flat track and trials racing activities.”

Kallonen has a long history with KTM. He joined as a mechanic in 2004 and in 2006 took over KTM’s factory offroad racing program. Since that time, Kallonen has led KTM to 94 National and World Championships. In addition, KTM supported riders who 11 X-Games gold medals.

His record as the U.S. ISDE World Trophy Team Manager is also excellent. Since 2012, Kallonen and the American squad have amassed five ISDE gold medals in all three trophy divisions.

Tim Weigand

At the same time, KTM announced that Tim Weigand would replace Kallonen at the FMF Factory Offroad Racing squad. Weigand has seven years of experience at KTM overseeing the Husqvarna Motorcycle factory offroad program.

KTM says that his previous successful racing career “…is sure to be a positive contribution to the squad.”

Weigand is also upbeat about his new role and the FMF Factory Racing team as a whole:

“I’m looking forward to kicking off the new season with the FMF KTM Factory Racing team. Stronger than ever, the team will include past and current champions on much of the same program as 2021.With Taylor Robert racing the AMA National Hare & Hound and West Hare Scramble Series, KTM will now be competing in all west coast national series with Dante Oliveira and Taylor splitting the series, which is super exciting.

On the east coast, we will continue with Ben Kelley and Josh Toth in GNCC and National Enduro, which was very successful last year. Of course, Trystan Hart will defend his hard enduro titles and try to have an injury-free EnduroCross season and get on top there. There’sno doubt it will be an exciting year of racing and I’m looking forward to it.”

KTM’s motto is “Ready To Race.” With these changes, KTM hopes it can claim the top podium spot in many different motorcycle disciplines and series.