The Kawasaki Racing Team will extend its remit in 2025 by entering the MX2 category as well as competing in the MXGP Championship.
Based at its impressive workshop near the Lommel track in Belgium, the new enterprise will come under the responsibility of existing KRT manager Antti Pyrhönen, while team staffing will evolve and expand according to the extra demands of an additional championship.
Initially utilising the direct relationship that the team has with the KMC factory engineers in Japan – including their wealth of design knowledge and engineering insight relating to the production KX250 machine – the KRT MX2 team will be working on an all-new specification across the coming months gearing towards a fully developed race machine for 2025 season.
With no decision at this time being made on who may ride for the team, KRT are targeting those with both podium potential allied to the skill to provide accurate feedback during the important pre-season testing phase.
Speaking of the new challenge, Pyrhönen was in characteristically optimistic mood.
“When I discussed with our Team Principle, Kimi Räikkönen, the possibility to raise our game to another level and enter MX2 he immediately saw the potential and agreed this was our next logical step.
“We have built up an incredible working relationship with Kawasaki in Japan and we are determined to repay their trust in us by making an impact with this new project”.
For Kawasaki Motors Europe, race planning manager Steve Guttridge emphasised the potential of the new initiative in terms of guiding young talent to the very top.
“Having both MXGP and MX2 run by our factory team offers Kawasaki the opportunity to offer young, very talented riders a dream seat in MX2.
“Being inside KRT means they can also be well prepared for future MXGP duties within a familiar team environment. We want to win World titles with home grown talent; the structure that Antti and Kimi have built alongside our factory staff offers just that”.
Photo courtesy Kawasaki
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