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.

Hiroshi Aoyama

Hiroshi Aoyama (Red Bull KTM 250 – eleventh)
“Under normal circumstances, I would have been able to follow the front runners for sure, but unfortunately, I had a little problem with the engine so I couldn’t fight for the podium today. But even though I am still proud of what we achieved together. We built this bike as a team, and the milestones and memories are unforgettable. To celebrate victory with KTM at my home race in Motegi in two years ago was one of the great highlights of my career and for our young team. So was our double victory at the German Sachsenring last year, which is kind of a home race for KTM. All in all, we celebrated four victories and had a great time together, and I want to thank my team, the factory and our sponsors for their support and trust. I will always regard these three years with KTM as a very special time!”

Aoyama on the attack at Valencia

NEWS GP 250cc

Aoyama fifth in KTM’s final 250 cc GP in Valencia; Kallio off on final lap Red Bull KTM factory rider Hiroshi Aoyama put in a brave and determined ride to finish fifth in Sunday’s 250 cc GP in Valencia to conclude a proud chapter in road racing history for the orange bikes “Made in Austria”. Teammate Mika Kallio was not so lucky. After putting in a do-or-die dash for final victory in a display of riding that illustrated the determination, skill and passion of the Finnish rider, Kallio in hot pursuit of leader Marco Simoncelli, crashed out of second position only a few corners from the finish line. He got back on the bike and crossed the finish line in eleventh place. Kallio was treated for abrasions on the fourth finger of his left hand in the medical centre but luckily, he escaped without any other injuries. Simon and Kalli Even though Aoyama lost engine power early on in the race due to a small problem on one of the two cylinders, the 27-year-old Japanese rider pushed his bike to the limit all along the way, and managed to defend his strong position in the second group of riders. Repsol KTM rider Julian Simon had, together with Kallio, dominated the race in the early stages, swapping the lead back and forth between them. But as the race progressed Simon dropped back through the order and finally was forced to retire in front of his home crowd when his engine started to lose water and overheated.