Mika Kallio and KTM

Mika Kallio and KTM: A farewell between friends

After six years of successful partnership that yielded 12 race victories and 33 podium finishes, KTM rider Mika Kallio and his team will say good-bye at the end of this racing season.

But even though the 25-year-old Finn is joining another manufacturer as he moves to the MotoGP class, it is a farewell between good friends.

“Mika has been under our wings from the beginnings of his Grand Prix career. We’ve moved up through the ranks as a team and celebrated our first victories together. We fought for the world titles in both the 125 cc and 250 cc class and it was a great and exciting time,” says KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. “Mika is an outstanding talent in this sport and we always said that we would support him all the way, not only with our bikes but also once he found a good opportunity to move to the MotoGP category. The time has now come. It will be exciting to watch him racing in the future and we all wish him the best of luck.”

Kallio now to face the ultimate challenge
Competing in the highest category of motorcycle racing is every rider’s dream but Kallio did not take his decision lightly. “The MotoGP class is the ultimate challenge, and I took this chance after talking to my team and to KTM, and after carefully considering all options. We’ve won many races, we’ve been serious title contenders in both the 125 and the 250 class and there is not much more I would be able to prove if I hung in for another year,” says Kallio. “I will always remember the great times we had together and our early success when we surprised the paddock and the fans in both categories.”

Brno 2003 - first GP for Mika with KTM in the 125 class

2nd place in Malaysia 2003 and first KTM podium

1st GP125 victory for Mika and KTM at Estoril GP 2005

2 times vice world champion 05/06 in the 125 class - Mika Kallio

1st GP250 victory for Mika and KTM at Motegi 2007

Quick success
Success came quickly as Mika joined the official KTM 125 team in the second half of the 2003 season in Brno. Kallio, a three-times winner of the Finnish 125 cc championship, rode on after a practice crash and conquered fourth place in his first ever race for the Austrian manufacturer despite a badly damaged left little finger. He celebrated second place and his first podium finish for KTM just four races later in Malaysia.