KTM, which has only just celebrated the rollout of the brand new 1190-RC8 Street Superbike, will have it on the track in Valencia on Sunday to compete in its first professional FIM Superstock 1000 World Cup race.
The move underlines the KTM philosophy of always being "Ready to Race" as well as the company's entry into the most competitive and sophisticated motorcycle segment. The RC8, eagerly awaited by the market and very positively received, will have young Austrian Rene Maehr onboard racing for the KTM Maehr Superstock team. The action-packed racing series is a magnet for race-hungry, talented young riders and is recognised in the Superbike World Championship paddock as highly competitive.
Talented New Rider
Although the RC8 has only just been released, the KTM Maehr Superstock team was already in Valencia for three days of testing in March. Putting the new machine in the capable hands of the 21-year old Rene is an indication of his potential on the racetrack and the high regard with which he is held at KTM. Maehr, who gets to race on his favourite circuit in Monza, Italy in race three, has set himself a target of a top 10 finish this season.
Part of Research & Development
KTM welcomes this new extension to its professional road racing activities. The company however goes into the 10-event FIM Superstock 1000 World Cup season viewing it as part of its research and development programme directly connected to its entry into the Street Superbike segment. Apart from racing faring, tyres and exhaust, the Superstock World Cup allows almost no modifications to the series machines. As such it represents a perfect "living laboratory" for the KTM R department to study the 1190-RC8 and its performance in the rarefied atmosphere of the racing circuit.
Following Valencia the Superstock Grand Prix series visits most of Europe's top racing circuits: Assen, Monza, Nuerberg, Misano, Brno, Brands Hatch, Donington, Magny Cours and concludes in November in Portmao in Portugal.
