Jesús Ríos, Moto3's top rookie and represented by Héctor Faubel, wants to change bikes for 2025: from Honda to KTM. The move to IntactGP is now in the air, with the Austrian team ready to welcome him on one of its official bikes. Ríos' goal is clear: exploit the competitiveness of KTM to aspire to the title.
His season in Moto3 has already seen him emerge as one of the fastest talents of the lot, with results that speak for podiums and pole positions. Snipers, which holds a renewal option, now finds itself having to choose: retain the driver with a forced contract or let him go, risking losing a growing asset. Last season, Snipers finished third in the constructors' championship, but 127 points behind leaders KTM.
The Austrian manufacturer has won 11 of the 20 races on the calendar, a dominance that Ríos wants to ride on. Team manager Mirko Cecchini, when asked about the situation, implied that he would not force his hand on a renewal if the driver was not convinced. A pragmatic position, which reflects Ríos' desire not to remain tied to a bike and a team that no longer meet his ambitions.
Cecchini added that the priority is to build a winning project, even at the cost of giving up a talented driver if not aligned. IntactGP, on the other hand, has already fielded two official riders in 2024 and aims to consolidate its presence in Moto3 with a third prominent element like Ríos. Héctor Faubel, his agent, is working to formalize the agreement with IntactGP.
The negotiation, according to sources close to the team, is at an advanced stage and could be concluded by the summer, before the Moto3 winter break. Faubel confirmed that the KTM offers a more aggressive technical package, with a higher-performance engine and more flexible electronic management, elements that convinced Ríos to evaluate the gearbox. The proposed contract is for a three-year term, with an option for the team to extend, a detail that underlines mutual trust.
Ríos' move is not isolated. In the last two years, several Moto3 riders have made the jump from Honda to KTM, including Izan Guevara and David Alonso, both of whom went on to become champions. The trend reflects an objective reality: the KTM offers a greater margin for development and constant competitiveness, while the Honda struggles to keep up in a category where the difference is made in tenths of a second.
For Snipers, the loss of Ríos would be a serious blow, especially after the departure of Ayumu Sasaki at the end of 2023, which left a void that is difficult to fill. The reaction of competitors is already palpable. The Leopard Racing team, historically linked to KTM, closed 2024 with two victories and a third place in the teams championship, demonstrating that the Austrian bike is the machine to beat.
The GasGas Aspar team, which uses GasGas (same family as KTM), also finished one step away from the manufacturers' podium, with 181 points against 208 for KTM. In this scenario, Snipers risks being left behind if it does not quickly find a competitive alternative. Cecchini closed the speech with a pragmatic note: "We can't afford to have a rider who doesn't believe in the project.
" A sentence that sounds like a warning for the parent company Honda: if Snipers is no longer competitive, other riders could also follow Ríos' path. Faubel, for his part, underlined how Ríos' choice was made after months of technical analysis: "We tested the KTM in real conditions and the data speaks clearly. The gap in qualifying is often more than two tenths, a margin that in such a balanced category can make the difference between the podium and the points zone".
Ríos' move to KTM is not just a question of performance, but also of access to a more advanced technical ecosystem. IntactGP, in fact, enjoys direct support from the Austrian manufacturer, with software and mechanical updates reserved for the official teams. 15 seconds per lap in qualifying compared to private teams, a gap that can make the difference in a category where the grid matters more than the race.
Snipers, on the other hand, operates as a Honda satellite team, with limited resources compared to the official teams. The Japanese company has also reduced investments in Moto3 in recent years, focusing on higher categories. This forced Snipers to develop the bike independently, with mixed results.
Ríos' departure, therefore, would not only be the loss of a rider, but also the confirmation of a technological gap that risks widening in 2025. 5 points per race. 8 points per game in 2024.
In a championship where consistency is everything, this margin can be decisive for a rookie aiming for the title. Read at Sky Sport Italia
Why this matters
Ríos represents the perfect example of how an emerging talent can change the fortunes of a team and a motorcycle manufacturer. His move to KTM would not only give him access to a more competitive bike, but would force Snipers to review its development strategy. For Moto3, then, it would be a strong signal: young riders want to grow with cutting-edge equipment, and the teams must adapt or risk missing the boat. Ríos' escape could trigger a chain reaction, with other riders considering a change of bike for 2025, accelerating the transition towards KTM as the reference standard in the category. Snipers, meanwhile, finds itself at a crossroads: either it invests in a new top rider or it risks slipping out of the fight for the title, with consequences also on Honda's technical support in a category increasingly dominated by the Austrian manufacturer.
Frequently asked
Why does Ríos want to leave Honda?
The Spanish rider is aiming for the KTM for greater competitiveness and to aspire to the title. Honda, while reliable, does not guarantee the same margin for development in a season dominated by KTM and GasGas. The 2024 data shows an average gap of 0.3 seconds per lap between the two bikes in qualifying.
Can Snipers retain Ríos on a contract?
Yes, but Mirko Cecchini said he wouldn't force his hand if the pilot wasn't convinced. A renewal option exists, but its application seems unlikely, especially after the team manager's statement on the priority of a winning project.
When would the transfer be completed?
The negotiation between Faubel and IntactGP is at an advanced stage. The agreement could be formalized by the summer, before the Moto3 winter break, with a three-year contract already proposed.
What is Héctor Faubel's role in this deal?
Faubel, Ríos' agent, is negotiating directly with IntactGP to secure the rider a contract on KTM. His experience in motorsport facilitates dialogue with the teams and has made it possible to obtain favorable technical conditions for the driver.
How important is KTM in Ríos' choice?
Very. KTM is currently the dominant bike in Moto3, with 11 wins from 20 races in 2024. For a rookie looking for success, switching to the Austrian manufacturer is an objective leap in quality, supported by the performance data.
What are the risks for Snipers if Ríos leaves?
Snipers risks losing a top rider and seeing its competitiveness in Moto3 compromised. The departure of Ayumu Sasaki in 2023 and now of Ríos could force the team to rethink its strategy, with possible repercussions on Honda's technical support.
