 In 2016, the Finn took time out from full-time racing, returning to KTM, to become their lead test rider for the then-new MotoGP project, commencing in .Kallio suffered a serious knee injury at the 2018 German motorcycle Grand Prix.Born in Valkeakoski, Kallio started racing in 1997 and won the Finnish championship in road racing with further success in 1999 and 2000.