No one can dispute Stefan Pierer’s long-standing business acumen. In addition to holding the position of CEO at KTM, he also sits on the boards of several billion-dollar companies.
At the same time, it is clear that business projections are not so easily replicated in an ecosystem like MotoGP. The Austrian company is already running late, according to the timeline set by its most senior executive upon deciding to enter the championship in 2017.
Pierer calculated that KTM would need five years to get to grips with the series and after that it would be in a position to fight for the title within three years. The truth is that those eight years have now come to an end, and the orange bikes are caught in another big whirlwind of change, a further profound shake-up in a season in which some dared to predict a close duel with Ducati.
Autosport understands that KTM’s top management is discussing how it intends to re-establish the balance of power within the organisation, with a major move expected. Francesco Guidotti, the current team manager, is already packing his bags for his departure.
The Italian was recruited from Pramac ahead of 2022 but less than three years later, despite having a contract in force until the end of 2025, will leave his post either at the end of the season or even before the season ends in Valencia. His case comes after that of Fabiano Sterlacchini, who joined in 2021 as technical chief and who agreed his departure a month ago, although his contract is still valid until next month.
Another person who almost left the group was Alberto Giribuola, signed from Ducati in 2023 as KTM’s engineering coordinator. He now plays the role of technical manager for Augusto Fernandez and in 2025 will be the technical manager for Enea Bastianini, with whom he already worked at Gresini.
Had it not been for the express wish of the Italian rider – another of those who will arrive in KTM next year – to work with him, ‘Pigiamino’ – Giribuola’s nickname in the paddock – would surely be leaving the factory.
KTM’s progress in the MotoGP pecking order has stalled
Photo by: Marc Fleury
“There is no patience here, and that is the worst thing that can happen to a factory in MotoGP,” an authoritative member of the KTM staff told Autosport. “You have to give stability and let the people you hire work. But unfortunately, that doesn’t happen.
“The people at the top are very stubborn. They still haven’t realised that this is not a…
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