Head of KTM Motorsport Pit Beirer welcomes stiffer competition in Moto3. Image: MotoGP.

KTM head of motorsport Pit Beirer is looking forward to the prospect of increased competition from Honda and Husqvarna in the 2014 Moto3 World Championship.

KTM occupied the top five positions of this year’s world championship in what some good argue as a KTM white wash, while not being concerned Beirer welcomes strong competition between the brands.

“We’re not concerned. We were surprised we dominated and were not really prepared for this,” Beirer told MotoGP.com.

“From the start it was clear we’d fight against a strong Honda – and we need a strong Honda in Moto3! Maybe there will be closer and nicer racing next year between the brands.”

With Husqvarna recently announcing their intentions to compete in the Moto3 championship, Beirer was keen to point out that while both KTM’s and Husqvarna’s will start from the same base in 2014, they will not be looking to follow the same development path.

“We have the same group owning the brands [Pierer Industries], but as a mid-term outlook, they will be different brands with different development,” he added.

“In the beginning we’ll have to start with what we have, but target is to give their own identity to each brand.”

Asked whether there is the chance of Husqvarna beating KTM from the get go next year Beirer said, “There’s definitely the risk, and there will be a battle.

“They will be a different company, have their own marketing, etc. That’s the nature of development. Husqvarna will take an independent road.”

Who or what is going to be competitive next year, no one knows. But we will get a clearer picture when the red lights go out at round one on 23 March at Losail International Circuit, Qatar.