5th place finish for Ralph Kenneth Torres in race 2 of KTM RC390 Cup Asia

The thrilling competition in the KTM RC390 Cup Asia at the Sepang International Circuit continued to intensify in Round 3 with our very own Ralph Kenneth Torres, KTM Philippines-sponsored rider, placed a respectable 5th place over 23 other racers during race 2, which commenced early on Sunday of July 30, despite failing to finish in the first day of the cup due to technical issues concerning a flat rear tire.

In a Facebook post following the race, Torres shared that “[It was] a tough weekend race for me” but was still grateful for having placed 5th and was thankful for the full support he received.

Round 3 of the KTM RC390 Cup Asia saw racers from Malaysia, China, Japan, and the Philippines in intense completion, with M.Izam Ikmal Izamli, Ahmad Daniel Haiqal, and M. Ibrahim Mohd Norrodin, all from Malaysia, taking the top slots.

The next round of the KTM RC390 Cup Asia will be held from 15-17 September, with riders set to face a slightly different challenge at Sepang, racing around a specially designed North Circuit instead of the full circuit. KTM will also continue to feature wild cards and special guests as learning opportunities for the riders to see what the RC390 is capable of and to push themselves to improve further.

Started last March and culminating in November this year, The KTM RC Cup brings to the region for the first time one of the most anticipated and exciting international motorcycle racing series that is catching Europe and the Americas by storm. The event sets out to support promising young riders by equipping them with the necessary skills to become truly ‘racing ready’.

Torres’ participation in the exhilarating KTM RC Cup Asia is in keeping with the strong racing DNA of KTM motorcycles, all ready-to-race and built on the core values of purity, performance, adventure, and extreme. From 1953 when KTM was first founded, KTM motorcycles have since participated in many top races, both Rally and MotoGP, winning awards, recognition, and acclaim.   

KTM Ph Inaugurates New Motorcycle Plant in Laguna

KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing, Inc. (KAMMI), a joint- venture partnership between Adventure Cycle Philippines, Inc., owned by AC Industrial Technology Holdings, Inc. (AC Industrials), a member of Ayala Group of Companies, and Austrian motorcycle giant KTM AG (Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen AG), inaugurates its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at the Laguna Technopark in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The KTM Philippines plant – which assembles four (4) KTM models such as the KTM 200 DUKE, KTM 390 DUKE, KTM RC 200 and KTM RC 390 – will have an initial production run of 6,000 motorcycles, with the goal of eventually expanding to 10,000 units annually. Apart from the domestic market, KAMMI plans to export to neighboring ASEAN markets as well as China, where some 60 million motorcycles are sold per year.

Art Tan, AC Industrials CEO, disclosed that the Ayala group’s foray into motorcycle assembly is in line with the company’s push in bolstering its growing manufacturing portfolio. “We are further expanding our capabilities as part of our thrust of fostering synergies with Ayala companies,” Tan said. “Combining the competencies of our manufacturing and distribution arms allows us to scale our presence in this space, taking advantage of evolving movements in technology, automation, and industrial technology.”

Meanwhile, Dino Santos, KAMMI’s President and COO, extolled the impact the plant’s opening has to Filipinos and the Philippine economy. “This investment is part of our belief that manufacturing should be a key driver of our country’s inclusive growth going forward,” he explained. “It provides jobs, supply chain opportunities, and helps put the country in the map as a center for innovation and industrialization.”

Moreover, they hope to ramp up their network to 32 dealers nationwide this year, each one providing sales and after-sales support.