With Sandro Cortese on his way to winning the Moto3 championship and to switch to Moto3 next season with the IntAct GP team, Red Bull KTM Ajo team has decided to sign up the next best rider in the current field, Luis Salom.
The 21-year old Mallorcan is currently second in the standings with two victories- Indianapolis and Aragon, and six other podiums riding a Kalex-KTM for RW Racing GP and in 2013 he’ll be racing an official KTM M32 under the Red Bull KTM Ajo Factory Team banner.
“It was clear for me already at quite early stage in the summer who is that kind of rider who is able to fight for the victories next season.
Luis is the one.
He has an experience, good pace and he has shown his maturity and rationality as a rider when it comes to the tough fights on the last laps,” said team leader Aki Ajo.
Salom was to have raced for Grand Prix Team Switzerland run by Marco Rodrigo, but IRTA refused their Moto3 entry, and then this opportunity came along.
Having a chance to be a part of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team is a dream come true for me”, Salom rejoices, “This is also important for my family and all the people who work with me.
Competing in factory team makes me calmer and I am more confident what comes to the future.
I am grateful for Aki, Red Bull and KTM for the possibility they have given me.
I truly am ready to start fighting in my new team starting from the first tests until the last race, ” commented the Spanish rider.
Tipped to become Salom team mates are 2012 Rookies Cup championship winner Florian Alt, and Zulfahmi Khairuddin who races under sponsor AirAsia colours for the team.