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KTM's 'Quartararo plan' comes at a cost

OPINION: By picking Brad Binder over Miguel Oliveira to take the factory ride left by Johann Zarco for 2020, KTM has clearly moved to create its own Fabio Quartararo situation. But it has drawbacks

KTM's 2020 MotoGP rider predicament has finally been resolved. Johann Zarco's decision to cut short his two-year stay a season early followed a barren period for the rider market, but that development has allowed numerous names to crop up on the rumour radar.

Conventional wisdom dictated that Tech3 rookie Miguel Oliveira was the most logical option for KTM after such a strong campaign in 2019, with test rider Mika Kallio - racing in place of Zarco since September's Misano round - the sensible back-up option as the manufacturer looked certain to honour its agreement with Tech3.

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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.