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KTM Appoints Alex Hofmann as MotoGP Test Rider for Developing the Entire Bike

We knew things are on the move at KTM as the 2017 MotoGP comeback announced by Mattighofen were already under way since the last summer. The Austrian manufacturer has appointed MotoGP rider Alex Hofmann as the test rider who will be in charge of developing the all-new premier class prototype.
Alex Hofmann, when he rode for Kawasaki 5 photos
Photo: crash.net
Alex Hofmann and ApriliaAlex Hofmann in the Kawasaki daysAlex HofmannAlex Hofmann
The terms of the contract Hofmann has had with Aprilia are unknown, but the man is a really valuable piece in the big puzzle. He has been together with the house of Noale for the past 7 years, so we’re looking at a rider who knows what developing a MotoGP bike means. His 7-season deal with Aprilia will soon be over and he gladly accepted KTM’s offer for 2015 onwards.

Ten seasons as a GP rider plus 7 years a developer make Hofmann a real asset

Hofmann is a very valuable rider because he has a lot of experience in Grand Prix racing. He debuted in the 125cc class in 1997, and subsequently stepped up to the quarter-liter category, where he spent 4 years, two with Honda and two with Aprilia.

In 2002 he became a MotoGP rider for Honda, switching over to Kawasaki machinery for three seasons, while the last two years before he retired from the premiere class he was at the helm of Ducati bikes. After 2007, Alex Hofmann became a developer for Aprilia.

An entire bike to build

KTM will make a return to MotoGP as a factory entry in 2014 and this means that Mattighofen has to build an entire bike, engine frame and suspensions. Factory entries are usually relying on Brembo’s expertise when it comes to the brakes, and KTM is already using Italian hardware for the bikes. It’s not that much to assume that KTM’s MotoGP prototype will retain the services of Brembo.

However, as Yamaha has their Kayaba suspension division and Honda has Showa as the brakes subsidiary, KTM has WP. Mattighofen has already announced that the premier class prototype will be using proprietary WP suspensions, and developing them will also be the job for Hofmann.

KTM’s new MotoGP bike will be a liter-class V4 engine which is loosely a doubled version of the v-twin used by the current RC8 machine. Unfortunately, Mattighofen said the KTM RC8 model is most likely to be ditched, but no road going replacement for it was announced.

However, the Austrians plan to deliver track-ready motorcycles and we can hope that the street-legal superbike will only miss until KTM acquires enough engineering knowledge. We could even speculate that Mattighofen will deliver a worthy competitor in the segment, with MotoGP-derived technologies giving it an edge over the competition.

As for Aprilia, they might miss a test rider with Hofmann’s expertise, but they can still turn to the likes of Michael Laverty or Max Biaggi, so not all is lost.
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