The squad had eyed 2017 for a debut but has elected to take to the grid at the November event.

Development riders Mika Kallio and Thomas Luthi continued to test KTM’s new MotoGP machinery at the Red Bull Ring yesterday.

And while the pair finished more than two seconds off of the pace, Kallio said he was happy with the progress he and his teammate had made in preparation for the team’s competitive debut.

“(We’re) around two seconds behind the fastest guys, at the moment it’s quite good,” Kallio said.

“We still have time to work before we come to the Valencia race.”

Yamaha riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith are set to join KTM next season.