Source: Supplied.

The KTM Off-Road Racing Team has named multi-time national champion Glenn Kearney to fulfil the role of team manager for the 2017 season.

It was announced yesterday that long-time KTM rider and manager Ben Grabham would end his association with the manufacturer in order to pursue a new direction in his career.

Kearney retired from professional racing at the conclusion of this season, where he formerly headed Husqvarna’s factory off-road efforts as both a rider and manager.

“I feel privileged to get offered the chance to try and replicate what Grabbo and KTM have done,” Kearney shared. “They’ve been the number one off-road team in the country so to be asked to take the reins here is a bit of an honour.

“I feel we have built it up to a pretty strong level, and in three years we’ve won a major championship every year, whether it be four-day titles, AORC class stuff, the Enduro-X titles with Brownie, or the four-day outright last month with Mathias. It was a bit of a shock when Jeff [Leisk] made the offer to me originally, but it shows he must have some respect for what I’ve done with Husky to be confident enough for me to continue and try to keep KTM at the front.”

The 35-year-old mentioned it should be a smooth transition to KTM as he’ll continue to work with familiar faces in management, also stating that he has raced all the guys he’ll work with in the future, which will be of benefit to both himself and the riders.

“Rider-wise, I’ve ridden and raced against all the guys that I will be hiring or working with and get along with them all that way. There’s definitely differences in the bike models and stuff but the fact that I’m not racing at the same time it won’t be such an issue for me. So it should be a relatively smooth transition between the two companies, since I’m working with the same people,” he concluded.