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RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING AND ELI TOMAC RACE TO ANAHEIM 1 SUPERCROSS VICTORY

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing opened the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship with a pair of convincing podium performances tonight at Anaheim 1, where Eli Tomac captured a spectacular 450SX Main Event victory and with teammate Jorge Prado claiming third position. In his SMX World Championship debut with KTM, Tomac set the quickest time in Qualifying 1 and then was P2 on combined times onboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION within the famed Angel Stadium.


The decorated two-time 450SX Champion from Cortez, Colorado, managed a strong start in 450SX Heat 1, charging to second position and holding firm to secure a direct transfer into the Main Event.
Following an initial race restart, the 33-year-old Tomac moved to the front of the field on the opening lap of the Main Event and controlled the race from the head of the pack, eventually taking the checkered flag with a closing advantage of 1.470 seconds in clinching the season-opening win – marking the 54th of his career in the premier division.

Eli Tomac: "This one feels good! Leading from the get-go like that is tough, because you need to really maintain focus the whole time, but my motorcycle was the best it was all day in the Main Event after a slight adjustment from the Heat Race. We went in the right direction, and this is the perfect way to start a new season and with my new team in Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. After a big off-season with both myself and the team testing and developing all over the place, it means a lot to achieve this early success together."


Making his first appearance with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in Supercross, multi-time MXGP World Champion Prado qualified an impressive sixth while acclimatizing to the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in race conditions, before he powered to the holeshot in the first 450SX Heat Race of the year to hold off a fast-finishing Tomac for P1.

Upon launching to another impressive holeshot in the Main Event, the Spaniard rode a calculated race to earn a first-career Supercross podium finish, making for a significant Red Bull KTM Factory Racing double podium result.

Jorge Prado: "This is really ahead of my expectations – the goal for this weekend was to just get through each session and do the best that I can. I had a great preparation leading into this year, but I am still so new to Supercross. Getting the Heat Race win was awesome, but I am really happy with my Main Event and to be on the podium. I rode within my limits, and still don't have a lot of words to describe my feelings right now, but all I can say is that hard work always pays off! It's great to start the season this way, so now we'll keep learning and look forward to a new opportunity next week."

In a welcome return to competition, Aaron Plessinger was back in action at Anaheim 1 to open the 2026 season. 'The Cowboy' led his Heat Race early on, before contact with another rider ultimately sent him to the Last Chance Qualifier. After winning the LCQ, Plessinger raced his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION forward to 10th place in the Main Event, earning solid points at Round 1.

Aaron Plessinger: "Obviously, this wasn't the Anaheim 1 that I wanted. It started well, but I hit the ground with Coop [Cooper Webb] in the Heat Race, which was unfortunate, but it happens. Good to get the Round 1 jitters out, and I had a few good starts today actually, which was nice. We have a good direction, my setup is in the ballpark, and I came from dead-last in the Main Event to 10th place, which I thought was a good way to rebound. It was a decent ending to a tough start, and now we'll go back and do some homework for next weekend."

Next Race: January 17 – San Diego, California

Results 450SX Class – Anaheim
1. Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
2. Ken Roczen (Suzuki)
3. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
10. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
14. Justin Hill (KTM)
18. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
22. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)

Standings 450SX Class 2025 after 1 of 17 rounds
1. Eli Tomac, 25 points
2. Ken Roczen, 22
4. Jorge Prado, 17
10. Aaron Plessinger, 12
14. Justin Hill, 8
18. RJ Hampshire, 4
22. Malcolm Stewart, 0

KTM NEWS

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING RE-SIGNS JORGE PRADO IN MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION

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Jorge Prado has re-signed with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing to remain in the SuperMotocross World Championship for 2027, spanning across the AMA Supercross Championship, AMA Pro Motocross Championship and SMX Playoffs as part of a multi-year contract extension. The 25-year-old has been outstanding upon reuniting with Red Bull KTM this season, achieving two 450SX podium results in Supercross, and already standing on the 450MX podium twice across the first eight rounds of the outdoors. He is currently positioned third in the combined 450SMX standings. Prado first partnered with the Austrian manufacturer over a decade ago, making his full-time Red Bull KTM Factory Racing debut in the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2017. The Spaniard went on to clinch a pair of MX2 titles in 2018 and 2019, followed by consecutive MXGP crowns in 2023-2024. Next season will see Prado continue to gain experience in United States competition on board the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION together with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, targeting ongoing success with the goal of becoming a title contender throughout the SMX categories in the future. Jorge Prado: "I'm really happy to have re-signed with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, because we've had great past seasons winning in MXGP, and this past year was great in Supercross – we achieved some podiums, had a couple of heat race wins, and now we've been very strong outdoors. I'm just happy to be working with this great group of people for the future, so I am super-excited and hopeful that we can achieve our goals." Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "We’re excited to have Jorge continue with KTM. Jorge and KTM have agreed to a contract extension, and our entire team is looking forward to seeing him continue to develop his Supercross and motocross skills here in the United States. We were all impressed by how quickly he adapted to Supercross in 2026. His confidence and speed, particularly through the whoops, stood out as one of his greatest strengths in one of the most demanding sections of the track. Jorge has shown tremendous willingness to learn, and we believe his best years are ahead of him. We’re looking forward to this next chapter, supporting him, and seeing his growth and success with KTM in the future."

MX2 podium performance by Laengenfelder at demanding MXGP of Flanders as Adamo also pushes to the top five

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Simon Laengenfelder finished 3rd overall for his seventh MX2 podium result of the season today through the draining sand of Lommel and the Grand Prix of Flanders. Round 14 of 2026 MXGP took place in more hot and dry conditions and a record 40,000+ crowd witnessed four tough and competitive motos in which Laengenfelder shone on the KTM 250 SX-F but Andrea Adamo also scored a bright 5th in the MXGP class on the KTM 450 SX-F.

Adamo claws points back with 6th place overall at MXGP of Czech Republic

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2026 MXGP marched on to round 13 of 19, and the Grand Prix of Czech Republic – one week after a triumphant return to Foxhill in Great Britain – saw the series attempt the narrow, hard-packed and stony hills of Loket. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing left a warm, breezy and dry weekend with premier class rookie Andrea Adamo pocketing 29 points for 6th place in MXGP with the KTM 450 SX-F.