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Wikipedia / Tech3

Tech3 is a motorcycle racing team competing in the MotoGP™ and Moto3™ World Championships. Founded in 1990 by Hervé Poncharal, the team has competed in multiple classes of Grand Prix motorcycle racing and is one of the longest-standing independent teams in the premier class. As of the 2020s, Tech3 operates as a satellite team for KTM under the name Red Bull KTM Tech3. In 2025, a consortium led by Guenther Steiner acquired full ownership of the team, marking a new era beginning in 2026.

History

The team was founded in 1990 by ex-racer Hervé Poncharal, engineer Guy Coulon, and Bernard Martignac, initially racing in the 250 cc class using Honda and Suzuki motorcycles. The team achieved major success at the end of the decade, culminating in the 2000 season when riders Olivier Jacque and Shinya Nakano finished first and second respectively in the 250cc World Championship.

Partnership with Yamaha

In the 1999 season, Tech3 partnered with Yamaha and became a long-term satellite team. In the 2001 season the team moved the whole operation to the premier class, again with Yamaha, Jacque, and Nakano on the YZR500.

Over nearly two decades, the team established itself as one of the leading independent outfits in MotoGP, achieving multiple podium finishes and consistently placing among the top non-factory teams.

Towards the end of the 2002 season, the team was given use of the YZR-M1, marking an important step in its development. Changes continued both technically and competitively. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Tech3 ran on Dunlop tyres before returning to Michelin in 2008. That same year, the rider line-up feature reigning two-time Superbike World Champion James Toseland alongside fellow two-time Champion Colin Edwards, forming a highly experienced pairing.

Further changes came in 2010 when Ben Spies replaced Toseland. Spies enjoyed a strong debut season with the team, finishing sixth in the championship, while Edwards placed eleventh. At the same time, the team expanded its presence into the newly introduced Moto2 category, where Tech3 riders Yuki Takahashi and Raffaele De Rosa competed on Honda-powered machines using a Tech3 chassis, finishing twelfth and twenty-seventh respectively.

Ahead of the 2011 season, Spies moved up to the factory Yamaha team and was replaced by Cal Crutchlow, while Edwards remained with the team for a fourth consecutive year, providing continuity and experience. In 2012, Crutchlow entered the second year of his contract, but further changes followed as Edwards announced his departure to join Forward Racing. He was replaced by Andrea Dovizioso, signalling another shift in the team’s rider lineup. Shortly afterwards, Bradley Smith signed a deal to compete in MotoGP with the team for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, continuing the team’s pattern of evolving talent and maintaining a competitive presence.

Partnership with KTM

In 2019, Tech3 ended its partnership with Yamaha and became the official satellite team for KTM. The move marked a significant strategic shift, aligning the team with KTM’s expanding MotoGP project.

This announcement also affected Tech3's Moto2 programme, as they switched to KTM chassis.

In mid-2018, Tech3 also confirmed they would be entering the inaugural season of the MotoE World Cup in 2019.

After the 2019 season in Moto2, with KTM withdrawing from the series, for 2020 Tech3 will field a two-rider team in the Moto3 class for the first time, also using KTM machinery.

In the 2020 season, Tech3 recorded their first ever premier-class win in their 373rd start at the Styrian Grand Prix in Austria, KTM's home event. The race was won by Miguel Oliveira. Rider and team repeated the feat at the final race of the season in Portugal, Oliviera's home race.

Partnership with Gas Gas

In mid-2022, Tech3 announced their partnership with Spanish motorcycle manufacturer Gas Gas, KTM's sister brand. The deal saw Tech3 carry Gas Gas's crimson red color from 2023 onwards.

Tech3 continued their partnership with KTM in the Moto3 class in that season before also switching to GasGas for 2024.

On 13 June 2024, Tech3 announced that they would revert to a Factory KTM team alongside the Red Bull KTM Squad. The team would be rebranded as Red Bull KTM Tech3. They also announced Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales as their riders for 2025.

Recently

In May of 2026, Tech3 announced a multi-year agreement with KTM to carry on in its role as the Austrian manufacturer's satellite team in the MotoGP World Championship from 2027. A key extension of KTM's factory effort, Tech3 will continue to benefit from factory-supported machinery and technical collaboration as MotoGP heads into the new technical regulations of 2027.

Grand Prix motorcycle results

By rider

By year

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

See also

Notes

References

  • https://www.teamtech3.fr/