KTM has launched its 2019 MotoGP program at its factory in Mattighofen, Austria, unveiling the look of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC16s that will be fielded in the premier class this season.

After two impressive seasons in MotoGP where the manufacturer grasped its first points, maiden top 10 finishes and ended the second term with its podium debut in Valencia, the effort is now doubled with the experienced Red Bull KTM Tech3 unit placing another two RC16s on the grid.

“For us this is another very special moment in our racing story and it’s a milestone for us to have that structure in place,” said KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer. “Our road race project has been building consistently since 2012 in terms of structure, confidence and people.

“I would say we have an amazing ‘path’ in place where you can go from a Rookies bike through all the categories to a MotoGP bike. In the premier class two motorcycles is not enough to be able to develop technology up until the highest level so having a second team in the MotoGP gives us an amazing feeling that our system is in place.

“We will work with this programme and that doesn’t only mean young riders and trying to get them through but also the bikes for each category with a strong in-house line-up and effort. That’s why today is very special.”

Pol Espargaro will begin his third season with the factory RC16 and his sixth in the premier class, where he’ll be joined for the first time by fellow former Moto2 world champion Johann Zarco.

Red Bull KTM Tech3 field the promise of Hafizh Syahrin and rookie Miguel Oliveira, who is the first rider to have come up the Moto3 and Moto2 KTM ladder. KTM’s MotoGP effort is backed up by the test team duo of Mika Kallio and Dani Pedrosa.