Head of KTM Motorsports Pit Beirer has been busy working on the Husqvarna project. Image: KTM.

Head of KTM Motorsports Pit Beirer is relishing the challenge of re-launching Husqvarna under the ownership of KTM.

The former grand prix contender is at the forefront of developing Husqvarna’s racing strategy, including the development of an all-new range to be released for 2014.

With speculation mounting that Husqvarnas will be KTMs with revised plastics for next season, Beirer said that’s not entirely the case as the Austrian factory works to develop a differing platform for the Husqvarna range.

“I can tell you, it isn’t easy for us,” Beirer admitted. “Because the best people who made decisions for KTM, now make decisions for Husqvarna, and if we already know the best ideas and have the knowledge, then you have to use this information.

“They are not a KTM, they are Husqvarna, and we had a short time to make our own bikes for Husqvarna. This will split more with the second and third model ranges. The first model will of course be from KTM knowledge, more so that than like a KTM bike. If you look at the bike it will not remind you of KTM, its a very special bike.

“You can see the motivation in the factory, our guys worked hard to make orange bikes, but now they make white bikes – I can tell you the bikes will be white. It is a big motivation for the people, and we will see some special bikes.”

Australian Todd Waters will join former world champion Tyla Rattray in spearheading Husqvarna’s return to the world championship as part of the revamped Red Bull ICEONE Husqvarna Factory Racing team.

For Beirer, the opportunity to introduce fresh talent in the form of Waters is an exciting prospect after closely monitoring his progress with KTM Australia during season 2013.

“Todd I haven’t had much contact with,” Beirer said. “How we choose him was funny, I saw his profile, and we knew his results from last years Motocross of Nations. He looks strong and looks nice on the bike, but what impressed me is that he asked for more power with the 450 KTM – he asks for stronger engines and I have never had anyone ask that before.

“Then I see his dream is to be World Motocross Champion and not AMA Supercross Champion, and then in the same moment I had talks with some riders in the paddock, who asked crazy money, and these guys were just riders between fourth and 10th in the championship.

“I lost motivation with this and I said to myself, we need to bring new blood into the grand prix scene and that was also why we brought Tyla back. We need riders who work hard and train hard.

“Just before the Grand Prix in Lierop I met Todd in Austria and I am more sure now than ever that we made a good decision. He is a young guy who wants to work hard and I know we can help him get better and that is our motivation to get him going in the GPs.”

Click here for complete interview over at MXlarge.