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Why KTM's latest moves risk derailing its future MotoGP stars

In placing Danilo Petrucci at the satellite Tech3 squad instead of its factory team, KTM is putting enormous pressure on the shoulders of two inexperienced riders that will be tasked with leading its efforts, risking undoing its rise up the grid

Lewis Duncan Jun 25, 2020, 3:22 PM

In a MotoGP silly season that will surely go down as one of the maddest, the latest move has been completed. While it was reported by Autosport last week that outgoing Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci had signed a deal to join KTM for 2021 after a visit to the factory in Austria with his manager, confirmation of this on Thursday wasn't exactly a surprise.

What was a surprise was that the deal Petrucci has signed will see him placed at the satellite Tech3 squad alongside Iker Lecuona instead of the works outfit, with current Tech3 rider Miguel Oliveira stepping up to the factory team alongside rookie Brad Binder.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.