When Dorna wished to start a new talent cup for European riders, it tapped the Austrian brand KTM to build the machine they would race and use to hone their racing skills. That machine is the KTM RC4R.
A four-stroke 250cc machine, the KTM RC4R is a step below the KTM RC250 R, which is used in the Red Bull Rookies Cup.
This makes sense, because the Northern Talent Cup (NTC) aims to find the top young riders from Northern and Central Europe, and feed them into the Red Bull Rookies Cup series, which will then hopefully jumpstart their careers into the grand prix paddock.
Accordingly, the KTM RC4R is track-focused machine that appears to carryover many of the same ideas found in the KTM RC390R street bike that was made for racing homologation use.
This means a 198 lbs machine (sans fuel) that should produce roughly 40hp from its quarter-liter engine, which we assume is sourced from KTM’s dirt bike lineup, along with its five-speed gearbox.
Complete technical specs are still being formed for the series, but KTM has released the graphic below explaining some of the RC4R’s technical aspects.
“First of all we are very proud that we have been selected by Dorna Sports and ADAC as a partner for the new Northern Talent Cup on the Road to MotoGP,” said Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director. “It’s a great pleasure to work with young, talented riders and KTM is successfully doing this in other racing disciplines.”
“We share the opinion that an easy entry-level bike was missing in the past, and we are happy to provide the appropriate machine for young riders with the ambition to reach the Moto3 category. This is especially true in relation to handling, service and cost efficiency.”
“It was important to offer an optimal price-service ratio. We are looking forward to the launch of the Northern Talent Cup with exciting riders and race action. I am sure this concept will find and produce new northern and central European talent in road racing.”
Source: KTM & Dorna
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