Zarco and KTM to part ways

Johann Zarco and Red Bull KTM will not complete the second season of a two-year agreement together in 2020. The former Moto2 World Champion and the factory team have mutually decided to end his stint in orange at the end of the 2019 campaign.

The 29 year old joined KTM towards the end of 2018 after his second term in MotoGP and for his first with full-factory support. Zarco tried to adapt his riding style to the KTM RC16 and KTM stated that the team tried relentlessly to mould the #5 machine to the Frenchman’s wishes and requirements while teammate Pol Espargaro made regular Q2 qualification appearances and persistently vied for top ten positions.

Ultimately both Johann and the team decided not to proceed with their joint project for 2020 and will now focus on giving the maximum for the final eight rounds and remaining months of MotoGP 2019.

As for who will step into the seat unexpectedly made vacant by the Frenchman, possibilities include the reinstatement of Bradley Smith to the factory team for 2020, or the promotion of Miguel Oliveira from the Tech3 squad to Red Bull Factory KTM Racing. 

Source: MCNews.com.au