Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado has been crowned the 2026 SMX World Champion in Ridgedale, Missouri, tonight, following outstanding performances across the three-round post-season, underscored by an impressive regular season in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross. Prado entered the season-finale holding the 450SMX Championship leader’s red plate, qualifying third around the high-speed Thunder Ridge Nature Arena course layout aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. After finishing fifth in Moto 1, a showdown in the second race saw Prado capture one of the most important holeshots of his career, putting forward 17 spectacular laps to claim the race victory and clinch the 2026 450SMX title in the process. The 25-year-old adds the premier class SMX World Championship to his impressive resume, which already includes two MXGP World Championships (2023, 2024) and a pair of MX2 World Championships (2018, 2019). Originally from Lugo, Spain, Prado relocated to the United States for the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship season, reuniting with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing organization one year later to contest the 2026 series. A strong showing in AMA Supercross – made up of two podiums, a pair of 450SX fastest qualifiers and multiple Heat Race wins – was balanced by an impressive AMA Pro Motocross Championship campaign, where he finished fourth overall in 450MX. His outdoor season featured five podium appearances, highlighted by a 1-1 sweep at the Ironman finale. Those results saw Prado enter the SMX post-season as the number two seed, before taking over the points-lead courtesy of a third-place result at Playoff 1 in Columbus, and then extending his advantage with a victory at Dignity Health Sports Park at Playoff 2 last weekend. A 5-1 scorecard at the SMX World Championship Final secured second on the podium this weekend, enough to earn the 2026 450SMX title. Having captured this year’s 450SMX World Championship, Prado will use the upcoming off-season to further prepare for the 2027 season, having recently signed a multi-year contract extension with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Jorge Prado: “One year ago I wasn’t even racing in the SMX post-season, but the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team did an awesome job preparing me all winter long, every single week, and I also prepared myself the best I could to bounce back. That’s what champions do, right? They bounce back, so [I’m] super-happy about this title – it’s my first championship here in the States. I’m a four-time world champion for a reason, and I think I showed that in this last moto where it mattered the most!” In his final race as a professional following a highly-decorated career, the legendary Eli Tomac posted the seventh-fastest qualifying time around the expansive Ridgedale circuit, signaling his final chapter on board the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. Tomac finished 12th overall in Missouri, drawing a memorable end to a career that spanned nearly two decades. Eli Tomac: “It has sunk in – I was trying to have fun out there, but to be straight up, there were some stressful moments for me! What a ride it has been. I’ve gotten to literally live the dream, and it’s sure been a ride. I’m so thankful for everyone, and I’ve said this a million times, but I truly am grateful for the whole family of Supercross and Pro Motocross. Thank you to everyone.” ‘The Cowboy’ Aaron Plessinger was also on track for a strong weekend in Missouri, with the 30-year-old powering his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to seventh in Moto 1. He followed that with 15th in the final race of the year to finish 10th overall for both the round and in the 450SMX standings. Aaron Plessinger: "My first moto in Ridgedale went well, I made some good passes and finished up seventh. Then the second moto, I made a mistake off the start and ended up at the back, but didn't ride to my potential in that one. Either way, it was a really positive way to finish the season together, and congratulations the team!” Equipped with the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Julien Beaumer topped the 250SMX qualifying timesheets with a 1:15.001 lap-time, gearing up for the double-moto format as he too targeted championship success. The 20-year-old Arizona native battled hard throughout the opening race, racing for position inside the top-five before eventually securing fourth and carrying strong momentum into Moto 2. A tough start to the final outing had 'Juju' playing catch-up as rain began to fall, creating a slick surface for the 250SMX field to navigate. He climbed to ninth by race’s end, which was enough to record fourth position in the 250SMX series. Following nine months on the sidelines, Beaumer returned to competition at the Pro Motocross opener, delivering two round wins and second in the 250MX standings to enter the post-season as the fifth seed. He then won Playoff 2 in Los Angeles, highlighting what was an ultra-successful 2026 SMX campaign. He will now turn his attention to the FIM Motocross of Nations following a late call to represent Team USA in France next weekend. Julien Beaumer: "It was a tough day. It began really well with qualifying P1, and then I started around fourth or fifth in Moto 1 and stayed there the whole race. I got a terrible start in Moto 2 and was down in the first corner, but I rode really well from there – it was just a tough track to pass on. Overall, I'm proud of our efforts, and now we'll fly back to California and get ready for the Motocross of Nations!" Results 450SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 2. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 3. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 6. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 9. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 10. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 12. Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Standings 450SMX Class 2026 1. Jorge Prado, 158 points 2. Haiden Deegan, 151 3. Hunter Lawrence, 136 7. RJ Hampshire, 99 9. Malcolm Stewart, 83 10. Aaron Plessinger, 80 11. Eli Tomac, 78 Results 250SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Cole Davies (Yamaha) 2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 3. Landen Gordon (Yamaha) 6. Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 7. Ryder DiFrancesco (Husqvarna) 8. Daxton Bennick (Husqvarna) Standings 250SMX Class 2026 1. Levi Kitchen, 153 points 2. Ryder DiFrancesco, 129 3. Cole Davies, 128 4. Julien Beaumer, 119 7. Daxton Bennick, 98

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler has extended his lead in the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship after securing second overall at the Roof of Africa in Lesotho. Battling across three demanding days in the Maloti Mountains aboard his KTM 300 EXC, Lettenbichler consistently challenged for the overall win and ultimately claimed the runner-up result at the sixth round of the series.

A large segment of the KTM GP Academy has been set for 2027. Multi-title winning Grand Prix race team, Red Bull KTM Ajo, will attack the MotoGP™ support categories with three of their current riders and will welcome Rico Salmela into the frame.