Think of Chinese motorcycle builder CFMoto what you will, but you can rarely blame them for a lack of ambition.
CF Moto is one of the giant motorcycle manufacturers in China which has a distribution network in more than 100 countries.
The Chinese are not hiding their ambition. In recent years, CFMoto has already participated in several domestic racing series. It is also the only Chinese factory team to ever compete in the TT on the Isle of Man.
Now they will make their debut in the Moto3 championship in 2022 with the help of KTM.
The Chinese manufacturer will join the racing series, hopefully seeing a progress up to MotoGP with their KTM powered models, which have seen major success in sales recently.
In addition to having obtained a patent and producing the KTM LC8 engine made for local sales in China. The joint-venture company is known as CFMOTO-KTMR2R, in which CFMOTO holds a majority share of 51 per cent, with the remaining 49 per cent held by KTM.
The CFMoto/KTM joint venture is in collaboration with Pruestel GP and will be strengthened by Carlos Tatay and Xavi Artigas as riders.
The CFMoto/KTM joint venture is in collaboration with Pruestel GP and will be strengthened by Carlos Tatay and Xavi Artigas as riders.
In Moto3, as a team you can currently choose from two technical platforms: one from Honda and one from KTM.
The latter is of course also used by subsidiaries Husqvarna and GasGas and will now also be used for CFMoto.
In both cases, it concerns a 250cc four-stroke monopitter, which runs a maximum of 13,500 rpm and is good for roughly 60 hp.
Doesn't seem like much until you see the curb weight of 100kg, more than enough to launch the Moto3 rockets to 230km/h and more.
We already know the newly appointed sporting director: the former 125cc world champion Tom Lüthi must lead the team to glory.
He still hung his helmet himself after a disappointing 22nd place in Moto2 last season. But the Swiss seems completely ready for his new challenge.
With the addition of CFMoto, the starting grid in Moto3 has grown to six brands - platform suppliers Honda and KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, QJmotor and now also CFMoto.