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Pit Beirer On KTM's MotoGP Future: "Racing Is Part Of Our Business Model"

By David Emmett |

Unsurprisingly, when KTM's press officer started the online debriefs with journalists at the KTM launch, we were told that neither the riders nor the team managers would be able to comment on the Austrian manufacturer's financial woes. That would have to wait until KTM's Sporting Director Pit Beirer spoke to us at the end of the day (and once his computer had finished rebooting itself for the umpteenth time). But Beirer was very forthcoming about the current situation, KTM's future plans, and how they are approaching the coming season and beyond.

"It’s been a rough winter," Beirer said with a feeling for understatement. "But it’s nice to talk about racing." Racing is what KTM does, and what they will continue to do, he insisted. "Motorsport is a major part of our company. It’s not just our passion – it’s part of our business model. We go racing. Attached to our racing activities, there is a market. We wouldn’t be part of this restructuring [process] if that wasn’t the case."

Beirer pointed to the success KTM had had in the US when they started racing AMA motocross and Supercross before they even started selling bikes in the US. He also pointed to the growth in sales since KTM entered MotoGP. "We came into MotoGP in 2017. Within six years, we could double the turnover. I don’t want to take this glory in the race department, but the whole company showed the publicity of racing, global marketing to build up the company, developing products and bringing them to the market."

Costs and benefits

The news that KTM would be forced to withdraw from short circuit racing at the end of 2025 was a misunderstanding, he explained to the German-speaking press. When the AKV, representing KTM's creditors, came into the company to examine the books, they saw racing as solely an expense.

"We would see that as quite normal, because you are coming from outside the company and take an inventory and you see assets and markets and turnover figures, and you see costs," Beirer said. Creditors were poring over every number on KTM's books, to see which costs could be cut. And they saw racing as a cost.

"I'm not angry at those people, because they simply stated factually, here is the amount we spend on racing. And of course it's logical that if you are not racing, then you can save that entire amount," Beirer said.

2025
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Comments

Just today they sold MV Agusta back to the Sardarov family that previously owned it. Apparently it is in better shape than when they sold, they got a good deal, and plan to grow.

Not pessimistic about KTM, thinking it will shake out okay. Contraction, tranform some essentials. MotoGP remains. Banks settle. Couple more subsidiaries still to join the morose transition. 

More worried about F1 re-vamping the circus into something we don't feel good about. Change is afoot. Instead of "is BMW joining?" we may be saying "did you see that cheesy magnate who was getting fawned over in the paddock?!" "Here come the Saudis," or "HOW much are those tickets?!"

2017 - 2021 era of beauty after CRT necessity

2022 - 2026 excess and Euro coup

2027 - 2031 the F1ernization (popularity and coverage up, rulebook and paddock feel oddly different, and your pockets emptier)

Have fun and intrigue at the Test Mr Emmett, appreciate you! Pace yourself this year mate? You are doing touring and endurance racing in a sprint world.

:)

One positive difference between us and F1: NO STREET CIRCUITS! 🥳🥳🥳

And we don't have the FIA telling our racers not to swear or they will be fined, suspended, and potentially docked championship points. What a fucking joke (had to do it). At least they still have a normal racing structure and aren't attempting whatever insane playoff shenanigans go on over in NASCAR-land.