Aubert and Albergoni join KTM

From KTM Racing

KTM has acquired two new talented Enduro riders for its factory team line-up for the 2009 World Championship season.

Frenchman Johnny Aubert, the newly crowned E2 World Champion will be onboard for the Orange team and Italian Simone Albergoni rides for KTM in the E1 class. Team boss Fabio Farioli is very positive for the 2009 season.

"We are after the titles in 2009," he said. "We're now preparing the bikes and we expect the riders to start serious riding training at the beginning of December."

Albergoni, who had his first experience with the KTM team four years ago, returns to ride in E1 together with new recruit, Finnish team rookie Eero Remes. The 27-year-old was second in 2007 and third in 2008 behind KTM's Ivan Cervantes.

"He is extremely fast over rocks and is very good in the mud and over difficult terrain," Farioli said.

The more experienced Italian will also be a mentor for Remes in his first year with the factory team. Both riders will compete on KTM 250 EXC-F machines.

Aubert, who took the E2 title in 2008 is also no stranger to a KTM, which he rode (for KTM France) to finish third in the French Junior Championships in 1995. The now 28-year-old Frenchman grew up in France near the Belgian border and up to 2005, rode in the MX World Championships. Aubert is considered a great all rounder on grass and muddy conditions, while, according to Farioli, is also fast improving in the Extreme tests.

The Frenchman will ride a 450 EXC-R in E2 together with KTM factory team stalwart Italian Alessandro Belometti on a KTM 250 EXC. Belometti joined Aubert and Salminen on the podium at the end of the 2008 World Championship season.

The KTM Factory Team also goes into the big bike category with a proven and very strong line-up with 2008 E3 champion Samuli Aro of Finland riding a KTM 530 EXC-R and teammate Cervantes of Spain on a KTM 300 EXC.