Image: Foremost Media.

KTM has announced a revised off-road program ahead of the 2022 season, featuring the new-look rider line-up of Stefan Granquist and Emelie Karlsson.

The pair will be ‘Ready To Race’ with direct KTM support – albeit scaled back upon previous factory operations – in the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE) and Hattah Desert Race this year.

Granquist, 35, has solidified himself as a competitive racer in the E2 category over the past two years, finishing sixth in the 2020 AORC series despite entering with a broken hand, then going 5-6 at Golden Beach’s 2021 opener before the series cancellation.

For 2022, the Port Stephens local will compete within the E3 class in the AORC and A4DE, as well as the Hattah Desert Race, equipped with the booming KTM 500 EXC-F.

“It’s definitely an honour to ride for KTM and it’s something I’ve always been striving for,” Granquist explained. “I’m motivated to put in the work and get some good results.

“I tend to have a smoother riding style and being able to use the torque of the 500 EXC-F is something that really suits me. I’m feeling really good on the bike and I’m excited for the season ahead.

Karlsson will ride a KTM 350 EXC-F in the Women’s All Powers class. Despite having no seat time in the lead up to the 2020 AORC series due to surgery on carpal tunnel syndrome, she finished second in the three-round championship, before securing a gritty third in 2021 at Golden Beach despite a shoulder injury.

“It’s exciting and a breath of fresh air to have signed with KTM,” Karlsson commented. “It’s been a good change and it’s super-exciting to race a different bike and capacity, to have access to the KTM factory resources, such as suspension testing.

“The 350 EXC-F has significantly more power than 250Fs I’ve ridden in the past and I’m finding I can use the torque of the motor more without having to rev the engine as much. That style of riding really suits me, as I always focus on being a smooth rider rather than an aggressive one.”

Both riders will commence their season with the opening rounds of the 2022 Australian Off-Road Championship to be held at Cherrabah, Queensland, between 19-20 March.