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Red Bull KTM set the MXGP standard again with victory in both classes at the Czech Republic Grand Prix

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s superb 2025 MXGP continued with more outstanding results at the historic Loket circuit for the Grand Prix of Czech Republic this past weekend. Lucas Coenen rode his 450 SX-F to 1st place for the second meeting in a row and for his tenth podium at round 14 of 20: the first meeting of a fresh double header. In the MX2 class championship leader Simon Laengenfelder got back in the groove with victory ahead of Andrea Adamo; both on the conquering KTM 250 SX-F.

  • Lucas Coenen came to Loket 15 points away from the red plate and slimmed the difference to 10 thanks to MXGP victory for fourth time in his rookie premier class season
  • Simon Laengenfelder wins for the fourth time in 2025 and extends his championship cushion over Andrea Adamo to 47 points as the Italian finishes runner-up for his ninth podium
  • All MX2 Red Bull KTM riders fill positions in the final top four as Sacha Coenen takes P4 overall. Elsewhere Jeffrey Herlings is on the recovery path from a broken right collarbone
  • Loket precedes the usual back-to-back race swing with the Belgian GP and the deep sand of Lommel next on the agenda

MXGP gathered in the condensed paddock of Loket after the slow trip south from Finland. The hillside circuit west of Karlovy Vary has been a consistent host for the Czech Grand Prix since the final years of last century and the narrow, stony, slick terrain – surrounded by a cosmopolitan gathering of fans – was again a technical challenge that prioritized starts for podium potential.

On Saturday MXGP was weather-hit once more and the qualification races took place in difficult muddy conditions. Lucas Coenen scored P2 and Andrea Adamo was best placed in MX2 with P5. Sunday, thankfully, saw a change in the climate and the motos were run in the dry, albeit on a rougher, softer soil with traction at a premium.

The first MXGP outing belonged to Coenen after the rookie gated well and led the entire 30 minutes and 2 laps. The gap over his next nearest pursuer was 16 seconds and the performance signified his eleventh P1 of the year. In the second dash the Belgian slotted into 3rd during the opening stages and took his time to move to P2 where he remained as the race clock ran down. The 1-2 for the day was good enough for overall triumph: the fourth MXGP spoils of his fledgling career, and means he ties with Romain Febvre on the most wins in 2025. Lucas appeared in the podium ceremony for the ninth Grand Prix in a row.

Simon Laengenfelder fronted a static first MX2 moto from the first lap until the last. He was followed across the line by Sacha Coenen with Adamo in P5. The next outing was owned confidently by Adamo whose bright start helped the #80 KTM 250 SX-F pull free. Red Bull KTM ruled both MX2 motos for the sixth time this season (Laengenfelder now on eight checkered flags and Adamo with six for 2025). Laengenfelder’s distant P2 meant a 1-2 scorecard therefore his fourth GP victory and eighth podium of the term, extending his championship lead over his Italian teammate by 47 points. The result marked a pleasant return to the champagne spray after his P5 in Finland. Adamo now has nine trophies for the year; just 2 away from the 11 he posted in 2023 and his title-winning campaign. Coenen was P8 due to a chaotic start and ranked P4 overall. Loket was also the fourth Grand Prix in 2025 where Red Bull KTM filled 1-2 positions on the rostrum.

The EMX250 and EMX125 European Championships enjoyed a respite in their calendar of races. The support card was instead full of EMX65 and EMX85 hopefuls as the fastest juniors on the continent vied for results and attention in order to make the next step up the development period. KTM SX equipment helped French youngster Enzo Herzogenrath to earn the EMX85 gold medal with a 1-3 in the motos. Countryman Mathys Agullo used his KTM 65SX to win EMX65 with a dominant 1-1.

Now to Lommel. The Belgian Grand Prix will provide the usual harsh test both for energy and on race machinery as MXGP and MX2 look to cut through - and across - the Limburg sand. Start Practice will get underway next Friday with the Free Practice sessions beginning Saturday morning.

Lucas Coenen, 1st and 2nd for 1st overall in MXGP: “Happy to be 1st and gain some points. Physically I felt really good, and I was pushing but I knew this track would be tricky: you can lose a lot here. I’m happy to win but not so much with the second moto because I lost time…but we showed we have the speed. It’s good for the confidence, and now my home GP is coming. We’re closing [the gap] in the championship, and we’ll keep pushing until the end.”

Simon Laengenfelder, 1st and 2nd for 1st overall in MX2: “The first moto was a holeshot win but for the second one I had to fight. The track was so slippery and I really had to push. I took some stones…but I made my passes even if it wasn’t easy to find new lines. I think this is my first ‘overall’ without going 1-1 this season but it’s still nice! Good to bounceback from Finland.”

Andrea Adamo, 5th and 1st for 2nd overall in MX2: “A little bit of a struggle this weekend. Not the best start in the first moto, then I crashed and had to find my way back. I think I did quite good to finish where I was but in the second moto did what I really had to do. Super! Let’s keep going like this. There are many GPs still to go.”

Sacha Coenen, 2nd and 8th for 4th overall in MX2: “Not the best starts this weekend and my riding was mixed: good on Saturday but not great in the first moto, even though I came back to 2nd place. My flow was better in the second moto but I was almost last after the start! P4, not much more to say. Now we’re looking forward to our home GP and we’ll give our all.”

 

Results MXGP Czech Republic 2025

 

1. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1-2

2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 5-1

3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic, 4-3

4. Ruben Fernandez (NESP), Honda, 2-7

5. Isak Gifting (SWE), Yamaha 7-4

 

Standings MXGP 2025 after 14 of 20 rounds

 

1. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 678 points

2. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 668

3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic, 494

4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 451

5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED), Yamaha, 392

9. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 325

 

Results MX2 Czech Republic 2025

 

1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1-2

2. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 5-1

3. Mathis Valin (FRA), Kawasaki, 3-3

4. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 4-8

5. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 6-4

 

Standings MX2 2025 after 14 of 20 rounds

 

1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 665 points

2. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 618

3. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 606

4. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 520

6. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 464

KTM NEWS

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING SIGNS RYDER DIFRANCESCO AND DAXTON BENNICK

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has signed Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick ahead of the 2027 SMX World Championship season, joining an expanded four-rider 250 program alongside Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen. The new-look roster will compete aboard KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION machinery across the AMA Supercross Championship, Pro Motocross Championship, and SMX Finals post-season, further strengthening KTM's READY TO RACE commitment to the next generation of 250 class talent. DiFrancesco, 21, joins Red Bull KTM Factory Racing following a breakout 2026 season, finishing runner-up in the 250SMX World Championship, fifth in 250MX, and fourth in the 250SX Western Division standings. The Californian earned his first-career 250SX podium at Anaheim 1 and carried that momentum into the outdoors and playoffs with a collection of podium results, firmly establishing himself as a title challenger into the future. Ryder DiFrancesco: "I'm super-excited to be joining Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. It's been one of the top-tier teams in the paddock since I can remember, so it's going to be a cool feeling being on the orange bike in 2027 – it only grows the confidence in myself and the team. The next thing to do now is to go out there and win. I'm excited, and the season can't come soon enough." Bennick, 20, is another exciting addition to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing effort after a strong 2026 campaign that saw him claim third in the 250SX East standings and secure his first 250SMX podium at SMX Playoff 1 in Columbus. The North Carolina native has continued to progress through the professional ranks since his highly-successful amateur career as part of the KTM Orange Brigade and will enter 2027 targeting title success. Daxton Bennick: "I'm so excited to be on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team next year. It's always been a dream of mine, so it's a super-cool and surreal moment for me. There are a lot of familiar faces on the team and also some new ones, and I think we're going to make a really good combination and go after the championships – I'm ready to get to work." The arrival of DiFrancesco and Bennick coincides with a significant expansion of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's 250 program, which will also feature Beaumer and incoming Belgian standout Coenen. Beaumer, 20, will return for his fourth season with the team after recently extending his contract through 2027 and beyond, while 19-year-old Coenen arrives from the MX2 World Championship following a Grand Prix campaign that saw him finish third in the 2026 standings. Nathan Ramsey, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 Team Manager: "What an incredible opportunity to be a part of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2027 and beyond. I will be managing the 250 race team, alongside of Ian and his crew on the 450 side. I believe this expansion and structure for the complete Red Bull KTM program is very strong and I look forward to having an unbelievable season. I couldn’t be happier to add Dax and Ryder to the team! They both had very strong seasons in 2026 and should absolutely be in the championship conversation in 2027. Dax and Ryder alongside Juju and Sacha make up a very young and extremely strong Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 effort for 2027! I am honored to be a part of this group moving forward and can’t wait to see what the future holds." Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 Team Manager: "We are incredibly excited to introduce our strengthened Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 program, which will debut in 2027 with a four-rider lineup equipped with KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION machinery. KTM has enjoyed significant success in the category for many years, and this next step further underlines the brand’s READY TO RACE commitment into the future." Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s expanded 250 program will make its competitive debut at the opening round of the 2027 AMA Supercross Championship in Anaheim, California, on January 9, marking an exciting renewed chapter for the Austrian manufacturer's presence in U.S. competition alongside its factory 450 team of reigning SMX World Champion Jorge Prado and new recruit Lucas Coenen.

Victory for Team Belgium & the Coenen brothers at packed MXoN in France

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The 79th FIM Motocross of Nations drew a huge record crowd of 105,000 to the ‘amphitheater’ setting of the Ernee circuit in northern France where Red Bull KTM’s Lucas and Sacha Coenen contributed to Team Belgium first victory in the annual contest since 2013. Red Bull KTM also had SMX champion Jorge Prado inspiring Team Spain to 2nd place and their first ever podium result.

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING THANKS AARON PLESSINGER FOR FIVE SUCCESSFUL SEASONS TOGETHER

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing extends its appreciation to Aaron Plessinger following five successful seasons together, with the partnership delivering an impressive catalog of race results across AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross. ‘The Cowboy’ continues to be one of the most popular and engaging riders in the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), quickly establishing a strong connection to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing fans throughout North America and on a global scale. Over the course of five seasons with KTM, he earned 24 podiums – 11 in 450SX and 13 in 450MX – including two Supercross victories. Plessinger first joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ahead of the 2022 season, making an immediate impact with a second-place result at Round 2 of the 450SX series in Oakland, and he would go on to achieve two more overall podiums outdoors (Southwick and Ironman) in his first year aboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. The 2023 season saw Plessinger make further progress, with the Ohio native recording two podiums in Supercross and an additional three podium finishes in 450MX on his way to third in the final championship standings. He also represented Team USA in the MXGP category at the 2023 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Ernée, France. Plessinger then opened the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship in outstanding form, capturing a first-career 450SX Main Event win in San Diego to take possession of the red plate, which he carried out of the following round with another top-three performance at Anaheim 2. He also took third in Arlington, before his indoor season was unfortunately cut short through injury. Another convincing Pro Motocross season – including six podiums at Hangtown, RedBud, Washougal, Unadilla, Budds Creek and Ironman – saw him finish third in the 450MX standings once more, and he carried that form into the SMX World Championship post-season to end the series in fourth overall. Those results led to another MXoN appearance to complete his 2024 campaign, this time in the Open category at Matterley Basin in the United Kingdom, where he contributed to Team USA’s second-place finish on the Nations podium. Plessinger's 2025 450SX season was highlighted by podiums at Daytona, Birmingham and Seattle, before achieving his second-career premier class victory in a convincing performance at Foxborough. He recorded another podium in East Rutherford, while a strong start to Pro Motocross that included podiums at Hangtown and Thunder Valley was later disrupted by illness. Always a fan favorite, Plessinger remained a valued member of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing throughout the 2026 SMX World Championship, bringing his trademark personality and commitment to the team across his final season in orange despite multiple injury setbacks impacting his season, which concluded at last weekend's SMX Final in Ridgedale, Missouri. Aaron Plessinger: "These have been some of the best five years of my life, and especially during my career – I've had a great time at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and I'm going to miss everybody a lot. Looking back, our results together have been consistently solid over a good stretch of years, which we can be proud of as a team. And the KTM fans, too, their support has meant the world to me and I'm glad that we were able to have a good run for them. Above all, I'm thankful for these years that we were able to spend together. We'll see you at the races!" Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "Working with Aaron over the last five years has been a privilege. He brought with him a unique personality, always making those around feel like a part of his inner-circle, and his cowboy style made him a favorite with the fans and our team. From race wins and podiums to some challenging moments along the way, Aaron always represented Red Bull KTM Factory Racing with passion, professionalism, and determination. We'd like to thank him for everything he has done for the Red Bull KTM team, and we wish him and his family the very best moving forward. You are family, Mr Plessinger – see you at the races." Plessinger and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will now officially sign off on a memorable five-year collaboration, with the entire team thanking Aaron for his contributions to the program and wishing him all the best for the future.