Jonas Folger: Setting off on new racing adventures
Jonas Folger
KTM Moto GP Testdriver
Germany
* 11.08.1993
Jonas Folger, born on August 13, 1993 in Mühldorf am Inn, Germany, is no stranger to the motorcycle racing scene. He discovered his passion for racing on two wheels at an early age. His talent and dedication led him to Grand Prix racing, where he quickly made a name for himself.
Folger's career in the Moto3 class began in 2012 when he raced for Team Mapfre Aspar on a Kalex KTM. His impressive performances earned him the title of "Rookie of the Year". In the following years, he moved up to the Moto2 class and established himself as one of the most promising German riders in international motorsport.
A highlight of his career was undoubtedly the 2017 season, when he competed for the German team Dynavolt Intact GP in the Moto2 class. Jonas Folger won several races and finished the season in second place in the overall standings. This success opened the door for him to the premier class of motorcycle racing, MotoGP.
MotoGP and Jonas Folger
The promotion to MotoGP in 2017 was a significant step in Jonas Folger's career. He signed a contract with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team and became teammates with the experienced Johann Zarco. In his debut season in the premier class, he put in impressive performances, including a second place at the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring. This position made him the first German rider to finish on the podium at the Sachsenring since 1993.
Despite a number of injuries that affected his performance, Folger managed to finish tenth overall in his first MotoGP season. His talent and determination made him a promising rider in the premier class.
The time out and the return
After a promising season in MotoGP, Jonas Folger surprisingly decided to take a break from racing. In 2018, he declared that he would have to retire temporarily for health reasons. This move disappointed many fans and experts who had been eagerly waiting to see how his career would develop.
The time out lasted longer than expected and it seemed as if Folger's career in MotoGP could be over. But the year 2023 brought surprising news. KTM, an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, presented Jonas Folger as their new test rider. This move not only raised hopes of a return to racing for the talented German, but also sparked speculation about a possible comeback to MotoGP.
The prospects for a MotoGP comeback
The fact that Jonas Folger is now a test rider for KTM is a promising step towards a possible MotoGP comeback. As a test rider he will help to improve the performance and development of the KTM race bikes. This is an important step to be competitive in the highest class of motorcycling.
MotoGP is an extremely demanding racing series that requires a first-class physical and mental condition. Jonas Folger's experience in the premier class and his talent as a rider could help to raise the KTM bikes to a higher level. If he proves himself as a test rider and maintains his fitness and skills, a comeback to MotoGP is a distinct possibility.
However, it should be noted that the competition in MotoGP is intense. The young talents and established riders are fighting for victories and titles at the highest level. Jonas Folger will face many challenges and obstacles on his way back to the premier class.
Conclusion: Jonas Folger's return to the world of motorcycling as a test rider for KTM is undoubtedly good news for his fans and the entire motorsport community. His impressive career and previous success in MotoGP will certainly help him a lot in his job as a test rider.
Race history of Jonas Folger
| Year | Competition | |
| 2011 | FIM World Championship 125 ccm | Total 6. |
| 2012 | FIM World Championship Moto3 | Total 9. |
| 2013 | FIM World Championship Moto3 | Total 5. |
| 2014 | FIM World Championship Moto2 | Total 15. |
| 2015 | FIM World Championship Moto2 | Total 6. |
| 2016 | FIM World Championship Moto2 | Total 7. |
| 2017 | FIM World Championship MotoGP | Total 10. |
| 2019 | FIM World Championship Moto2 (4 Rennen) |
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| 2020 | International German Superbike Championship | Champion |
| 2021 | FIM Superbike World Championship | Total 22. |
| 2023 | KTM Moto GP Test driver & riding coach | |
| 2024 | KTM Moto GP Test driver & riding coach |
