Rene Hofer to MX2 World Championship with Red Bull KTM
Austrian Rene Hofer (17) will follow in the footsteps of Tom Vialle at Red Bull KTM in 2020. Hofer impressed enough during his three wild-card MX2 appearances in 2019 to earn a seat. KTM has once again chosen a young talent as a factory rider in MX2.
Until a mid-season injury, Hofer dominated the EMX2018 in 125. This year, the former youth world champion achieved one podium finish and finished fourth in the EMX250 final standings.
He also showed in the World Championship that Hofer has digested the switch to the four-stroke well. He took his first points in the Czech Loket, and in Imola he surprisingly finished 7th on the KTM 250 SX-F. This weekend he will defend the Austrian colors during the 73rd Motocross of Nations at the TT Circuit in Assen. After Heinz Kinigadner and KTM's Vice President Offroad Robert Jonas, Hofer is only the third Austrian factory pilot for the manufacturer.
Rene Hofer: “I'm super excited! We've really been working towards this for a few years and now it's coming true. We weren't sure if this switch would happen before 2020, but I'd like to show some good results in the second half of the season. I felt confident from the very first time in the MX2. Even though the weekend is quite different than in the EMX250. I'm so grateful to be able to drive for the best team in the world. I've already trained with Tom Vialle and he's a really nice guy. Vialle had an incredible rookie season and I think with good preparation in the winter I can be ready for 2020. I will be 18 next year and I know I am ready for this step. The result in Imola was certainly very good, but I am hungry for more! I definitely want to thank everyone who helped me get here in my career. I can't wait to start preparing for 2020, but first I have to focus on this weekend!”
Robert Jonas, Vice President KTM Offroad Motorsport: “Rene's rapid rise up the ranks has made it so and his progress in 2019, his first year on the 250 SX-F, was hard to ignore. After two seasons in the 125s and just one in the EMX250 it was clear he was going for a place in the World Championship and he showed us what he is capable of. We really like his mentality and determination. We are proud to have him for our factory team in 2020. He is Austrian and some may think this is an advantage. But this situation also creates additional pressure. We wanted to be sure that Rene could handle this well. I remind myself from my own experience what this means and we have no doubts about Rene. 2020 will be a learning year, together with Tom (Vialle) we have a great team in MX2.”
Photos: Ray Archer
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