KTM continues the fight: CEO Neumeister signs new MotoGP contract

It’s a done deal: the contracts between the MotoGP Group and the five manufacturers have been finalised. Ahead of the qualifying sessions at Brno, the joint commitment to staging the championship – and, in particular, to the commercial expansion of MotoGP – was announced at a press conference. Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, KTM and Yamaha will also be part of the new era from 2027 onwards and will be competing with 850cc prototypes until at least 2031.

The new MotoGP framework agreement is crucial in terms of providing reliable planning for all those involved in the Motorcycle World Championships – this is the only way to justify the immense budgets, including planned investments. And let’s not forget: whilst the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, majority-owned by Liberty Media, handles the marketing of the series as its core business, all the manufacturers involved rely on the global motorcycle trade for their livelihood.

The business is by no means a sure-fire success. Just how turbulent things can get away from the paddock was demonstrated by the crisis threatening the very existence of the only German-speaking manufacturer partner, KTM. It was only through radical changes – including a change of management and a restructuring process that continues to this day – that the Austrians regained their stability.

And that’s not all. With the backing of the Indian Bajaj Group, the brand from Upper Austria is set to continue delivering expertise and visibility in the highest racing categories, with MotoGP as its spearhead. In tandem with the MotoGP announcement, CEO Gottfried Neumeister emphasised KTM’s position in his statement.

“The extension of the MotoGP contract creates a solid foundation for continuity and reliability. For KTM, this underlines our shared commitment to further developing the championship as the global benchmark in motorcycle racing. MotoGP offers a unique environment in which performance, innovation and brand identity come together at the highest level. The platform plays a key role in strengthening our global presence and consolidating our brand’s perception in a highly competitive and international environment. Sporting performance is a central element of our identity as a company. The successes we have achieved in MotoGP in recent years have made a significant contribution to the strength and visibility of the KTM brand worldwide. At the same time, they are the result of a joint effort by our entire organisation, our team and the whole network of partners, fans and supporters.”

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KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister: «Sportliche Höchstleistung zentrales Element»

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Neumeister, who has been at the helm of KTM AG since January 2025, continued: “Looking to the future, we remain fully committed to this path – with the clear aim of competing at the highest level and continuing to fight for success in MotoGP. We are convinced that KTM and MotoGP are an excellent fit and share common values that will drive both the championship and the brand forward in the years to come.”

However, the signed contracts are merely the formal conclusion of a longer-term development, which SPEEDWEEK.com had already reported on with the launch of the new 850cc engine in October 2025 – a clear signal of a medium-term commitment to MotoGP.

KTM’s management sent out another crucial message last month when Gottfried Neumeister reported exclusively that KTM’s factory racing programme would retain its financial independence. Not least, it was also clear to the new Tech3 owner, Günther Steiner, that KTM would be a stable business partner. The agreement between KTM and Tech3 had also swept away any remaining doubts in the paddock about the Austrians’ participation. For the team led by Racing Director Pit Beirer, the focus is now back on their actual mission: bringing the MotoGP title to Munderfing.