With the purchase of GasGas by KTM well and truly the done deal, little snippets have started emerging through the cracks of the interweb about how exactly that unlikely pairing will play out. Will GasGas keep its heritage or will it have the same fate as Husqvarna? You’ve all probably got a fair idea on the answer to that.

We can say with a good bit of certainty that GasGas is about to seriously change up its platform as news has just come out about KTM Factory racers Lala Sanz and Taddy Blazusiak switching to the Gas Gas brand - pretty much effective immediately. Both riders are KTM stalwarts and it would be strange to think that the brand would let them go without a fight. Add to that Glen Coldenhoff also switching to GasGas on a 450 in MXGP. GasGas do not make an MX bike so even more confirmation that KTM will the new GasGas platform.

The video below from French Magazine ENDURO talks to Joachim Sauer, KTM Senior Product Manager Offroad about how the 2021 GasGas models will be based on the KTM platform.

Production is said to apparently be left in Spain, which is good for the country, though for how long that is unclear. And it looks like the KYB suspension will also be ditched for the WP units that you see on KTM and Husqvarna.

IS THIS GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS

That is an interesting question to answer because it depends on who you talk to. Those on the KTM/Husqvarna side will no doubt start chanting that GasGas will now be a ‘good’ bike, being basically a KTM. Those on the GasGas side will cry out for the ‘death’ of another brand thanks to those damn Austrians. There is always good and bad to every story - it just depends on who is telling it.

When KTM bought Husqvarna, the story went that it would stay its own brand - the long-standing icon that it was. But as we all know in the end it became what it is today - pretty much a white KTM with differences in look and minimal design aspects. This time around, there has been no mention of the status quo so suffice to say, your Austrian third colour option is well on its way.

In the hierarchy of things, we would suspect GasGas ranks number 3 - and this is a pure guess - with Husqvarna being the premium brand. To also release GasGas as a pinch above its original KTM flag - we just don’t see that.

Back to the suspension - KTM own WP suspension so it makes no sense to buy external parts when you can get cheaper ones in-house. We also think that KYB suspension on the GasGas would put it in the premium brand bracket too. So WP it is. But PDS or Linkage for GasGas Enduro? If premium means linkage then we say it will be PDS - again at a guess.

The Husqvarna is noticeably different visually. Plastics, colour scheme, and small hardware upgrades kinda do separate the White from the Orange - if only ever so slightly. The GasGas will again look different visually to both current brands so it will be interesting to see how that is done.

THE COLD HARD TRUTH

Why did KTM buy GasGas? Because not enough of you out there were buying them. They were a bloody good bike, no doubt about it. Especially the 2019 models I rode in Australia last year. But for whatever reason, they didn’t sell enough of them worldwide. And that’s really the long and the short of it. So instead of crying a river now that the brand will essentially be a re-branded KTM (car manufactures do that all the time), be happy that someone stepped in and has given new life into a manufacturer that was clearly on its last tank of gas.

Even if it is just a different set of plastics, it’s still another choice on the dealer floor. It appeared to be either that or nothing…and I know what I prefer.

Press Release from GasGas

GASGAS LAUNCHES STRONG RACING ARM FOR 2020 WITH MXGP, RALLY AND ENDURO TEAMS

Renowned offroad manufacturer GasGas will radically expand their FIM World Championship competition program for 2020 and will enter factory racing teams in new disciplines such as Motocross, Rally and Enduro.

GasGas will make a historic inaugural step into MXGP courtesy of an alliance with the Standing Construct squad, expand their presence and competitiveness in Rally thanks to linking up with high profile record-setter Laia Sanz and host the multi-title winning talents of Taddy Blazusiak in the arenas of Enduro and Extreme Enduro.

Significantly ‘Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing’ is the very first works Motocross Grand Prix team for the marque and boasts the exciting combination of Glenn Coldenhoff and Ivo Monticelli on MXGP machinery in 2020. Coldenhoff secured 3rd position in the 2019 MXGP standings and has owned his class in the last two editions of the FIM Motocross of Nations. Monticelli impressed in his second term in the premier division in 2019 to fill 11th spot in the championship.

Laia Sanz, a serial FIM Women’s trial world champion and now almost ten years as an Enduro and Rally record-breaker (Female category winner and highest ranked female finisher at the Dakar Rally with a personal best of 9th overall in 2015) will lead the charge for the revitalized GasGas effort in Rally. The soon-to-be 34 year old will disembark to the middle east in a matter of weeks for the 42nd Dakar Rally beginning on January 5th.

It is hard to find a bigger name in the world of Enduro than Taddy Blazusiak and the decorated 36 year old Pole is the perfect vanguard for the GasGas name in the 2020 WESS Enduro World Championship.

Glenn Coldenhoff: “My team manager called me and told me about the opportunity for us to ride with GasGas and right away I was really honored. To reach the status of a factory team is a reward for all their hard work and professionalism. It is a really big step for the team; to have a factory behind you with all their support and resources. I am really looking forward to continue working with this great group of people at Standing Construct, and I am super-honored and motivated to represent this new brand in the MXGP class.”

Tim Mathys, Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing Team Principal: “This is an important new step in the story of Standing Construct. 2019 was the best year yet for us: we saw career-best performances from Glenn and Ivo and our staff were able to give them exactly what they needed to get the results. We are full of confidence and with extra experience to be able to begin this new chapter with GasGas. It is an honor to be the first MXGP team to carry that famous badge and start a new era. I want to give thanks to the GasGas race management at Pierer Mobility AG for the support. We will change our color but not the ambition to keep being at the front of MXGP.”

Laia Sanz: “When the announcement was made about GasGas’ future, things happened very fast and so we had the challenge to prepare very quickly for Dakar 2020. We are in a positive way; the bike looks great and we are in full preparation for the race in January. The other interesting thing with GasGas is the opportunities it might present me for the future - GasGas is known as a trials bike brand and this is also close to my heart and roots. The page turns for the brand from now, and my goal is to do the best job possible whilst bringing my passion and expertise to the company as we start on a new journey together.”

Taddy Blazusiak: “I’m stoked to be part of this new adventure. I’d been with KTM forever and they are well known for their work and their competitiveness, so this is a fresh direction for me and it’s a privilege to be the first rider of the new GasGas era. I cannot wait to start working and racing with the new GasGas factory team.” 

Robert Jonas, VP Motorsports Offroad: “GasGas is another fascinating story for our motorsport department. It is a strong and very recognizable brand, so it’s exciting to see how we can take it into new racing series. When we decided to move GasGas into MXGP for the first time there wasn’t a better choice than Standing Construct. Tim and his crew bring passion and knowledge to their jobs and that has been really easy to see, especially in 2019. Laia has some history with GasGas in Rally and was the natural fit to push the name back to the front at the Dakar. She’ll be an ideal ambassador both on and off the bike. It’s fantastic for us to have a rider of Taddy’s profile and professionalism when it comes to the first steps of the Enduro program. Overall, I would say we have pushed hard to make a competitive statement for GasGas and the next phase of their participation in the racing world; moving forward we’re fully focused for track success on a global scale.” 

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