Jeffrey Herlings: An appreciation of a memorable MXGP alliance

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing wishes to thank and extend best wishes to five-times FIM World Champion Jeffrey Herlings as the 16-year association between the team and the Dutchman reaches a close.

Herlings was drafted into the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team as a precarious 15-year-old in 2010. His talent and desire were immediately evident as he grabbed his first MX2 Grand Prix podium in only his second outing in Italy and then won for the first time in The Netherlands two weeks later. It was the beginnings of a formidable partnership, not only with team staff that mostly remained by his side for the rest of his KTM career but also the KTM 250 SX-F.

Herlings would claim 61 of his current record total of 112 Grand Prix wins (all of which earned with Red Bull KTM SX-F technology) with the quarter-litre bike and thanks to titles in 2012, 2013 and 2016 is the most decorated KTM racer in the history of the category. The Dutchman would move to the premier MXGP class in 2017 and although his career would be interrupted by injury he scooped two more championships, in 2018 and 2021, and won at least one GP with the KTM 450 SX-F every season he was active.

As well as his MXGP acclaim, Jeffrey owned races in the AMA Pro National Motocross series and domestic motocross titles in his homeland and the UK. He has also been repeatedly victorious at the FIM Motocross of Nations. Herlings is KTM’s second-most decorated FIM Motocross world champion and rightfully holds a special place in the firm’s prolific racing history.

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “It was a big pleasure to watch a generational talent like this boy grow and develop with us. Jeffrey always did things his own way but we’ve hardly ever seen a racer work as hard and be so determined. There were highs and lows in this long 16-year journey for both of us, but Jeffrey is unique, and I’m happy that our Red Bull KTM orange was such a strong part in his story.”

Robert Jonas, KTM Director Offroad Racing: “Thanks to Jeffrey for all the wins, the titles and years and years of dedication. Jeffrey only ever had one goal and to make that target every time after setbacks says a lot for his character and also for the connection he had with the team."

"We’ve had an incredible run together and we’ll always have a special history.”

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More Coenen perfection as MXGP speeds back to South Africa

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Lucas Coenen won for the fifth time on his KTM 450 SX-F in the 2026 MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship at Terra Topia and a long overdue return for the series to South African soil. Red Bull KTM also celebrated more trophies in MX2 (their tenth podium appearance in eleven rounds) thanks to Simon Laengenfelder’s 2nd position.

PODIUM FORM CONTINUES FOR RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING'S JULIEN BEAUMER AT HIGH POINT

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Julien Beaumer finished second overall in Round 4 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship courtesy of a 2-2 moto scorecard in 250MX, on a weekend at the High Point National where 450MX teammates Jorge Prado and Aaron Plessinger also featured inside the top-five. Beaumer qualified fourth fastest in the 250MX division aboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in the morning sessions, before launching to a top-three start in Moto 1 and taking over the lead 10 minutes into the race. After building an advantage of more than seven seconds, a small tip-over saw him surrender the lead, ultimately finishing a hard-fought P2 at the checkered flag. Another strong start in Moto 2 saw Beaumer once again convert his track position into a second-place finish, with a 2-2 scorecard earning him second overall for the round and a second-career 250MX podium. The impressive 20-year-old has climbed to third in the 250MX championship standings after four rounds, just two points from the lead as riders now have one week off before the series recommences at RedBud on July 4. Julien Beaumer: "This is special. I remember last year when they said I wasn’t an outdoor guy, but we’re getting there, and I think I’m in a position to start fighting for some wins. We’re in this thing and we’ll go into the off weekend with some confidence, keep building, and come out swinging at RedBud.” Equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Prado qualified third fastest in 450MX with a 2:00.649 lap-time at High Point, carrying that form into Moto 1 where he raced to a convincing third-place finish. The four-time world champion started towards the front in Moto 2, running inside the top-five throughout the race, which included an intense late-race battle with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Plessinger. He eventually recorded 3-5 scores for the weekend, placing fourth overall and rising to P4 in the standings. Jorge Prado: "Round 4 at High Point was an okay day for me. Both qualifying and Moto 1 were very good, and then in the second moto I finished P5 for fourth overall. We can take some positives from today, even if we still have some work to do – we’ll get to it in the break and come out swinging at RedBud.” Plessinger was the seventh-fastest 450MX qualifier this weekend and was battling for a top-five in Moto 1, delivering a well-earned sixth position. ‘The Cowboy’ then posted an impressive outing in Moto 2, charging through the field to a P4 result and securing fifth overall on the day. As a result, Plessinger has advanced to seventh in the championship following Round 4. Aaron Plessinger: “This is a win for me – I haven’t ridden that good in almost a year! So, it feels good to get that monkey off my back and get up here and show the boys what I can do. I’ve got to give it up to the whole Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, because they’ve been behind me, pushing me, and believing in me, and I’ve got to give a shoutout to everyone on the team. My bike was working great today and this is a huge win – I’m happy to be up there and thanks to all who support me.” Next Race: July 4 – RedBud, Michigan Results 450MX Class – High Point National 1. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 2. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 3. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 4. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 5. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 8. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 4 of 11 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 182 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 180 3. Haiden Deegan, 144 4. Jorge Prado, 122 5. RJ Hampshire, 121 7. Aaron Plessinger, 102 16. Lucas Coenen, 44 22. Dante Oliveira, 25 28. Malcolm Stewart, 10 Results 250MX Class – High Point National 1. Cole Davies (Yamaha) 2. Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 3. Jo Shimoda (Honda) 6. Ryder DiFrancesco (Husqvarna) 7. Casey Cochran (Husqvarna) Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 4 of 11 rounds 1. Levi Kitchen, 150 points 2. Jo Shimoda, 149 3. Julien Beaumer, 148 6. Ryder DiFrancesco, 111 15. Casey Cochran, 54 19. Sacha Coenen, 33 23. Daxton Bennick, 24