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Folger will work with incumbents Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kallio on the 2023-spec KTM RC16 in his new function, becoming a member of the group simply earlier than the beginning of official testing on the Sepang Worldwide Circuit in Malaysia on February 5-7.
His appointment comes as KTM goals to mount a severe problem for the title this yr, having completed fourth out of six in final yr’s producers’ championship.
The Austrian marque has additionally modified its manufacturing unit line-up for 2023, with Jack Miller becoming a member of, changing RNF-bound Miguel Oliveira and partnering Brad Binder.
“Because the MotoGP season comes nearer then the schedule for our check group additionally involves life,” mentioned KTM MotoGP director Pit Bierer.
“Not many individuals see the essential work these guys are making in the direction of our venture however their contribution is important.
“For that motive, we’ve got chosen so as to add Jonas to the group alongside Mika and Dani; who’ve each already built-up a lot data of our race bike and the steps we’ve got made.
“We all know Jonas fairly nicely and he’s briefly ridden our bike earlier than. He is aware of what it takes to place a bike on the entrance of a Grand Prix and he’s nonetheless younger and has quite a bit to contribute. In comparison with Dani and Mika he has a special body-type and magnificence and that will even assist us with our improvement.
“The check group is a improbable group and I can’t stress sufficient how a lot of a robust basis it makes for our MotoGP racing.”
Pit Beirer, KTM Manufacturing unit Racing
Picture by: KTM Photographs
Folger made his MotoGP debut with Tech three Yamaha in 2017 and claimed second on his residence turf in Germany, however his rookie marketing campaign was reduce quick after he was recognized with Gilbert’s syndrome.
After spending a while on the sidelines, he was tasked with spearheading Yamaha’s European check group in 2019, gaining expertise of managing the testing programme of a manufacturing unit.
When the Japanese producer elected to not renew his contract on the finish of the 2019 season, Folger moved outdoors of grand prix racing, successful Germany’s IDM championship the next yr on a Yamaha R1.
This helped him land a full-time seat within the World Superbike Championship with Bonovo BMW in 2021, however Folger struggled to acclimatise himself to the M1000RR after a profession spent nearly completely on Yamaha equipment, and he might muster a greatest end of eighth earlier than his group elected to take a seat out the ultimate rounds of the season.
His cope with KTM means he might be again within the MotoGP paddock for the primary time in six years.
