KTM has confirmed its rider line-up for the 2018 MotoGP season, with Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith set to continue with the squad.
Despite having run test rider Mika Kallio at a number of rounds as a wildcard entry this season, it’s Smith that’s been given the nod for the full-time ride on the KTM next year.
Kallio will stay on as the team’s test rider, and like this season will make wildcard starts at selected rounds in 2018.
The confirmation ends speculation that KTM could switch Smith and Kallio, off the back of a disappointing season for the Brit.
He currently only leads Kallio by three World Championship point, despite the Finn having only made three starts.
“KTM has supported Bradley Smith from the very first test on the KTM RC16 MotoGP bike in Valencia 2016,” read a KTM statement .
“He has fitted into the team well and has worked hard at every test, practice and race as a new motorcycle is developed with new parts coming into the garage for every race.
“The team wants to confirm that 2018 will remain as committed to Smith as before as we both look forward to bettering results and lap times.
“He is a Grand Prix winner and a podium man over the three classes of Grand Prix racing he’s contested, something that KTM wishes to repeat with an orange motorcycle underneath him.”
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