Dani Pedrosa’s long-standing ex-Crew Chief Mike Leitner has joined KTM Factory Racing to work on its ambitious MotoGP project, as reported by publication Speedweek.com.

Leitner was Crew Chief to Pedrosa for nine years, during which they won two titles in 250cc and 41 GPs together, as well as finishing runner-up in MotoGP in 2007, 2010 and 2012.

Regarding his switch, the Austrian commented: "It will be an exciting and interesting challenge, as we’re starting from scratch. It is nice to see an Austrian company and an owner like Stefan Pierer to start such a great project. There is not much happening from other factories in the German speaking part of the world. I like challenges and I am happy to be part of it."

KTM’s Head of Motorsport Pit Beirer added: "Mike will work closely with Sebastian Risse, who is Head of KTM’s Onroad technical race department. Mike now is the guy at KTM with the most MotoGP on-track experience. He will assist building up a test team and help us to find the right people in the paddock."

At the moment more than 20 technicians are working on the RC16 project, which will feature a steel trellis frame, a V4 pneumatic-valve engine, a seamless transmission as well as WP suspension. Ex MotoGP™ rider Alex Hofmann has been confirmed as one of the factory’s test riders.