Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM has re-signed Rene Hofer on a two-year contract extension that will see the Austrian remain with the factory team through the 2022 MX2 World Championship season.

Hofer, 18, was drafted into the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team for 2020 after showing promise through the European ranks in the EMX125 and EMX250 categories.

“I’ve been with KTM for about a decade now and every time I step into the company, I feel like I’m in the right place,” Hofer commented. “It’s only my first year with the factory team, but it already feels like home and it’s a pleasure to work and spend time with the guys and achieve our goals together.

“All I can say is that I am super-excited about what the next two years will bring and I will enjoy every minute of it. From my side, I will obviously put in maximum effort and I know everybody in the team will do the same.

“Working together with an Austrian brand will hopefully have a positive effect on Austrian motorsport as well. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to live my dream, but I can’t forget to give-it-up to all the people who helped me get here, especially my family.”

Robert Jonas, vice president Offroad KTM AG, said: “Rene came into the factory team pretty close under the microscope, but we were thrilled to see how he responded to winter training and preparation and then how he adjusted to the speed of MX2 right away.

“He made a few good wildcard appearances in 2019 so he was able to see a little bit of what was in store for 2020 and then adapted well to the demands of being a factory rider. His career keeps progressing and we’re excited to continue that journey together. Hopefully the FIM World Championship can begin again soon and both Rene and Tom can continue to learn and develop.”

Prior to the current COVID-19 stoppage, Hofer has impressed in his first full season of the MX2 World Championship, capturing two top five finishes in four motos before the season was halted. He is the first Austrian to represent Red Bull KTM grand prix racing since Robert Jonas.