---
title: "Kallio to race in Germany and Austria with KTM"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/06/28/kallio-race-germany-austria-ktm/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-06-28T11:43:22Z"
modified: "2017-06-28T11:43:52Z"
---

# Kallio to race in Germany and Austria with KTM

KTM test rider Mika Kallio will make at least two wildcard appearances at MotoGP rounds this season with the Austrian manufacturer, starting with this weekend’s German Grand Prix.

KTM is in the midst of its first season in the premier class as a factory entrant and its first in any capacity since it supplied engines to three-times 500cc world champion Kenny Roberts’ outfit for half of the 2005 campaign.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/06/652586736.jpg)

Its full time riders, former Tech3 Yamaha duo Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith, have made steady progress with the RC16 over the course of the first eight races.

The pair have tallied up 16 points between them, with Espargaro taking the marque’s best result of the year with an 11th place at last weekend’s Dutch TT .

Kallio, the runner-up in the Moto2 world championship in 2014 to then Marc VDS team-mate Tito Rabat, has formed part of KTM’s test rider team since its first run on track towards the end of 2015, and raced the RC16 in last year’s Valencia Grand Prix.

The Finnish rider has proven a fundamental part of KTM’s development programme, and as a reward for his efforts was promised wildcard outings with the team at some point in 2017.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/06/652554764.jpg)

Rather unsurprisingly Kallio will race in front of KTM’s home crowd at the Red Bull Ring on August 14, while making his first appearance this year a month prior at the Sachsenring this weekend.

Kallio recently completed three days of testing with KTM following the Catalunya Grand Prix, where he evaluated many new parts and set-up changes in preparation for his maiden race outing in 2017.