KTM European Junior Cup
690 Duke race series to support Superbike World Championship
A
single-bike racing championship utilising the all-new KTM 690 Duke will support
the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2012.
Similar to
the successful talent springboard Red Bull Rookies Cup, the series represents a
fantastic opportunity into a bike racing world series for promising young
riders aged from 14 to 19 years and will allow them to display their talents in
a prime time position on the track by racing immediately before the second
Superbike heat of the day.
Prospective
riders must have at least one year's experience in a licensed FIM series to
ensure the level of competition is high. Applications for selection into the
series are open now and it is expected that 36 young riders from 10 nations
will be on the start line on April 22 in Assen, Holland, for the beginning of
eight races in Europe.
A slightly
modified version of the brand new 690 Duke will be used as the competition bike
in the KTM European Junior Cup 2012, using many components available from the
KTM PowerParts catalogue.
Launched
in December 2011, the new 690 Duke is 90% different to its predecessor and is
aimed to deliver big smiles for the demands of all types of riders. Along with
boasting the most powerful production single cylinder engine at 70hp, the Duke
also represents the most technically advanced road bike from the Mattighofen
factory; boasting features like full ride-by-wire throttle, a twin spark plug
cylinder head with individual ignition maps, three switchable power modes.
KTM
Motorsport Manager, Pit Beirer, said: “We have been successfully involved in the
Motorcycle World Championship for some years, either in the Red Bull Rookies
Cup or also from this season in the new Moto3 class. With the KTM European
Junior Cup we will also be supporting new talent in the Superbike World
Championship from 2012!”
KTM
ambassador and ex-MotoGP rider, Jeremy
McWilliams, said: “I had the chance
to ride the 690 Duke in Spain when we were doing an amazing photo shoot for the
factory. The bike felt incredibly light and the motor is so flexible. The 690
Duke will make an ideal race bike for the European Junior Cup riders, coupled
with PowerParts and adjustable suspension it's ready to race!”
History
has shown us that these single-bike concepts can work extremely well, with young
Red Bull Rookies riders having gone into battle for five years now on identical
KTM RC 125 two-stroke bikes to fight for points, victories and attention.
Former Red Bull Rookies Danny Kent (GB) and Arthur Sissis (AUS) are just two of
many who have succeeded in advancing to professional level. Both these riders
will race for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Team on KTM's new Moto3 bike in the 2012
season.
European
Junior Cup director, Gerry Bryce,
said: “We are very pleased with the new
partnership with KTM. The new 690 Duke has unbelievable performance data and is
in a league of its own in this segment. We are confident that the 690 Duke is
the perfect motorcycle for the young EJC riders in terms of both the action on
the racing circuit and improvement of the youngsters' riding ability!”
KTM 690 Duke Cup motorcycle specification
Power increase by 10hp
Weight reduction by 10kg
Standard light mask with carbon headlight cover
No lighting, mirrors or number plate holder
Monoseat cover
KTM PowerParts (PP) seat: more rigid and with a larger
area suitable for active riding
PP Foot Peg Kit for higher positioning or for
positioning feet more to the rear of the bike
Rigid foot pegs in international racing standard
Lower handlebar and handlebar clamps
PP Crash Bars
PP Akrapovic titanium exhaust system with
titanium/carbon silencer
PP Camshaft
PP Airbox
Fully adjustable WP suspension
Modified braking system
International racing standard oil drip tray
2012 KTM European Junior Cup Racing Calendar
April 22 –
Assen (NL)
May 6 –
Monza (I)
June 10 – Misano
Adriatico (I)
July 1 –
Motorland Aragon (E)
July 22 –
Brno (CZ)
August 5 –
Silverstone (GB)
September
9 – Nürburgring (D)
October 7 – Magny Cours (F)
previous
Jeremy McWilliams (GB) on the new KTM 690 Duke: Anti-hopping clutch, full ride-by-wire throttle & ABS are standard
Current KTM PowerParts version of the new 690 Duke (Not the European Junior Cup competition bike)
Stripped down series model 690 Duke.
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