Petrucciâs arrival and Oliveiraâs promotion means Espargaro is definitely leaving KTM at the end of 2020…
With KTM confirming their 2021 line-up that includes Miguel Oliveira at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Danilo Petrucci at Red Bull KTM Tech3, it confirms the heavy rumours that Pol Espargaro will leave KTM at the end of the season.
Despite Valencia remaining the only podium Espargaro and the team currently have in the premier class, success has been there â and its success thatâs clearly been noticed. Polyccioâs time at KTM hasnât been without injury and setbacks either, but the number 44 has never failed to bounce back.
2019 was his most impressive year to date with KTM â and arguably his time in MotoGP⢠â with eight top 10s coming his way on machinery that isnât quite at the level of the top teams. A P6 result in Le Mans and the Misano front row were two standout rides.
The Spaniard has been with the Austrian factory ever since their MotoGP⢠journey began in 2017, and the younger Espargaro brother has pioneered the manufacturersâ continued improvements in the premier class. A dream debut podium came both Espargaro and KTMâs way at the rain-soaked 2018 Valencia Grand Prix, signs that both parties were on the right track to success.
Now though, Pol Espargaro and KTM will part ways at the end of 2020. A big blow for KTM as they lose their shining star, but it seems the signing of Petrucci and the pairing of Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira â along with Iker Lecuona â will be a force to be reckoned with, thereâs no doubt about that. KTM have a bright future.
For Espargaro, itâs now a question of when heâll be confirmed at another factory in MotoGPâ˘. The HRC rumours have been howling in the wind for some time now, with several media outlets suggesting a deal has been done for a while now. And the Spaniard said it himself â Honda and Ducati are the âdream bikes to win a World Championship onâ at this moment in time.
 Binder to stay with KTM for seventh year, second in MotoGPâ˘Â
The 2021 Pol Espargaro puzzle piece will surely be slotted in sooner rather than later as we get set to see the charismatic Spaniard lining up ready to fight for a MotoGP⢠title in 2021 and beyond â almost certainly with Honda. But for now, both he and KTM will have their sights set on a memorable last dance in 2020.
