News 14 Feb 2023

New-look KTM Junior Racing Team announced for 2023

Four riders 'Ready To Race' ahead of the upcoming season.

Image: Foremost Media.

A new-look KTM Junior Racing Team line-up has been announced for 2023, with continuing youthful talent Kyle Harvey joined by Cooper Ford, Jackson Fuller and Western Australia’s Ollie Birkitt as the brand continues its ongoing development of the next generation.

A potent addition to the team for the upcoming season, Queenslander Fuller will be equipped with a range of ‘Ready To Race’ machinery, including the KTM 85 SX, 125 SX and 250 SX-F.

The 14-year-old was third overall last year at the KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship (AJMX) in the 85cc 12-under 14 years category and will compete for multiple junior national titles this year, as well as select MX3 races in the ProMX Championship.

Tasmanian Ford is also eyeing national championship success this season and he made a positive start to this year’s campaign with a strong second-place finish in the 85cc class in the recent MX Open event at Wonthaggi. The 13-year-old will be equipped with both the 85 SX and 125 SX in 2023.

Entering his second term with the KTM Junior Racing Team, Kyle Harvey will continue on an 85 SX in both national and state championships. The Queensland-based rider showed promising pace last year at the AJMX in Rockhampton on his way to fourth in class and also claimed the Mini Lites 9-u12 crown in the Sunshine State MX Series.

Adding to the list of aspiring young racers, 11-year-old Birkitt is another welcome addition and will also compete onboard an 85 SX, highly-capable of being a front-running contender at various state-level events and the AJMX at the Acacia Hills Motocross Club in the Northern Territory between July 11-16.

KTM Group Australia national brand manager Tam Paul commented: “After an incredibly successful 2022, where the team secured three national number one plates and numerous state titles, it’s with mixed emotions that we see the early graduation of both Jet Alsop and Kayden Minear to full-time senior racing in 2023 with the continued backing of the KTM Group. They certainly leave big shoes to follow, but I am confident we are investing in the future with a young, but potent team of riders.

“With the addition of new riders, Western Australian Ollie Birkitt and Queenslander Jackson Fuller, we are looking forward to another promising year of results across the country. Both Kyle Harvey and Cooper Ford will be returning with the team this year and are looking to build on what was a very strong past season. We can’t thank our key long term major partners Motorex, Troy Lee Designs, Dunlop, KustomMX, ODI and Funnel Web enough for their ongoing support!”

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