Mika Kallio (born 8 November 1982) is a Finnish Grand Prix motorcycle racer, currently serving as the lead test and development rider for the Red Bull KTM team in MotoGP. He debuted in the 125cc World Championship with the Finnish rookie team Ajo Motorsport in the 2001 German Grand Prix and was awarded the "Rookie of the Year" with the team in 2002. After moving to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team during the 2003 season, he finished runner-up in the 125cc class in both 2005 and 2006, and also finished runner-up in the 2014 Moto2 World Championship. Moving up to MotoGP full-time for 2009 and 2010, he obtained the "Rookie of the Year" award in his first season in the premier class. Career Early career Born in Valkeakoski, Kallio started racing in 1997 and won the 1998 Finnish championship in road racing, with further success in the competition in 1999 and 2000. During 2000, he also became the Nordic champion, after finishing second in the prior year. While Kallio pursued his road racing goals, the Finn has also scored plenty of success in ice racing back home in Finland, having achieved the Finnish motorcycle ice racing championship in 2000, 2004 and 2005 in the 125cc class. At 500cc level, Kallio also won the title in 2004 and 2006. 125cc World Championship (2001–2006) Kallio made his debut in the 125cc World Championship as a wildcard rider at the 2001 German Grand Prix, but did not finish the race. Continuing with Ajo Motorsport and the Honda RS125R for a full season in 2002, he finished in the points ten times, nine times in the top-10, with a 5th place in Jerez being the highest of the year. Kallio ended the season with 78 points, 11th in the rider's championship, and won Rookie of the Year, in front of fellow rookies Héctor Barberá, Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo. He started the 2003 season with Ajo Motorsport, partnering Masao Azuma, but halfway through the season, following him outperforming factory KTM rider Arnaud Vincent, the riders were switched, Kallio being promoted to Red Bull KTM, KTM's factory team. He immediately took his career's best fourth place in Czech Republic, and scored his first ever podium in the 125cc class, a 2nd place at Sepang behind Dani Pedrosa. Kallio finished the year 11th in the standings, with 88 points. Signing 2003 Rookie of the