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2025 MXGP blasts into life for Red Bull KTM in Argentina with MX2 podium double

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ripped out of a Grand Prix start gate for the first time this year and Sacha Coenen produced the goods with his KTM 250 SX-F to score 2nd place in Argentina.

Simon Laegenfelder was 3rd overall meaning an MX2 double trophy haul for the opening round of 20 in Cordoba.

  • The new Inifinito Race Track in Cordoba provides soft terrain, a quick layout, big jumps and is surrounded by a large crowd for its MXGP inauguration
  • Lucas Coenen makes his MXGP class debut and the 2024 MX2 championship runner-up takes the KTM 450 SX-F to 6th overall
  • Sacha Coenen Is the pick from the MX2 class with results of 9-1 in the two motos to place as runner-up. Simon Laegenfelder takes 3rd while Andrea Adamo was 10th after a first moto DNF
  • Jeffrey Herlings will soon occupy the saddle of his KTM 450 SX-F in the next comeback step from right ACL reconstruction. The Dutchman will then confirm a timescale for his MXGP return

MXGP discovered a brand-new circuit for the Grand Prix of Argentina and the Infinito Race Track offered a different setting compared to the venue at Neuquen that had been the home of the South American fixture since 2015. The teams and riders tried to unlock all the fastest lines and potential of the course in Cordoba that was initially wet but quickly dried through the Sunday motos thanks to the warm climate and soft, sandy nature of the surface.

The Red Bull KTM Factory line-up flew across the Atlantic with one representative in the MXGP class (Lucas Coenen) and four in the MX2 category (Andrea Adamo, Sacha Coenen, Simon Laegenfelder and Marc-Antoine Rossi) and with Jeffrey Herlings on the comeback path from injury. On Saturday the MX2 crew set a marker with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd best lap-times in Timed Practice. Adamo, Coenen and Laegenfelder hit the front again in the RAM Qualification Heat and the Italian logged the first maximum points of the campaign with victory ahead of the Belgian in P2 and the German in 4th. Rossi was 19th after a poor start. Lucas Coenen was also struggling at the launch of the MXGP Heat as contact with another rider put him on the floor into Turn 2. He remounted and made it to the flag in 19th.

Sunday’s motos was the scene for more drama as the track invited a high pace and full commitment. Coenen fell on the first lap of the opening MX2 sprint (with the course in its wettest state) and worked his way back to 9th but then owned the second moto holeshot and took the checkered flag. Laegenfelder was P2 in the first moto but two small late falls in the afternoon dropped him to 6th and meant the third step of the podium. Adamo had to pull out of the initial moto with a technical issue and after spinning on the metal gate at the start. The former world champ was strong in the second moto to follow home Coenen for P2. Rossi ended the day with 19th after a 16-20 scorecard.

In MXGP Lucas Coenen closed a steady day of action with 7-8 scores and took home 27 points for P6. With the championship now underway, MXGP will hurry onto Cozar for the Grand Prix of Castilla la Mancha in two weeks.

Lucas Coenen, 7th and 8th for 6th overall in MXGP: “My first MXGP race was quite tricky. I didn’t have the best feeling on the track or the best speed but managed a good start in the Quali race until another rider ran into my leg and put me down. I had to fight hard to come back from last to 19th and that was tough. I reset for Sunday and did my best. I finished in the top ten twice and I’m really pleased. It’s almost like a win for me right now and we made some good points. We’ll keep building and swing even higher for Spain.”

Sacha Coenen, 9th and 1st for 2nd overall in MX2: “I knew I had good speed but I didn’t really have any expectations for this Grand Prix; I just wanted to push my hardest and see where we could arrive. The crash in the third corner of the first moto did not help and meant I had to come back from last position. it was not ideal. We didn’t make any changes to the bike because I feel really good with my setting – better than last season – and we’d worked hard for that this winter. It was great in the second moto and I had good flow after the holeshot.”

Simon Laegenfelder, 2nd and 6th for 3rd overall in MX2: “I was feeling good and fast with the bike this weekend and I cannot really explain what happened at the end of the second moto. We have to figure some things out for the next Grand Prix. I’m fit and could ride well but we have to look at these mistakes and put them right for Spain.”

Andrea Adamo, DNF and 2nd for 10th overall in MX2: “A really good weekend for me. P1 in the Qualifying race and Pole Position was super but then it as a bummer to have a problem in race one and a DNF because I had been feeling good all day. With P2 in the second moto I believe we could have left Argentina with a podium and maybe the red plate, anyway, good feelings with the bike and good speed and fitness so we’re looking forward to Spain now.”

Marc-Antoine Rossi, 16th and 20th for 19th overall in MX2: “It was not easy to be back at Grand Prix speed on this track! I’m not that happy with my riding: the heat and the track itself was tough for me but this was a step back to competition and I’m still learning. Spain might be a bit better for me.”

 

Results MXGP Argentina 2025

 

1. Maxime Renaux (FRA), Yamaha, 2-1

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

3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 3-3

4. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA), Ducati, 4-4

5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic 5-7

6. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 7-8

 

Standings MXGP 2025 after 1 of 20 rounds

 

1. Maxime Renaux (FRA), Yamaha, 57

2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 56

3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 48

4. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA), Ducati, 40

5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic 35

6. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 27

 

Results MX2 Argentina 2025

 

1. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna 1-5

2. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 9-1

3. Simon Laegenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 2-6

4. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 7-3

5. Camden McLellan (RSA), Triumph 5-8

10. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, DNF-2

19. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 16-20

 

Standings MX2 2025 after 1 of 20 rounds

 

1. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 49 points

2. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 46

3. Simon Laegenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 44

4. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 36

5. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 32

19. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 6

KTM NEWS

TOM VIALLE AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING FINISH SECOND IN 250SMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tom Vialle has finished runner-up in the 250SMX Class of the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) following the final round at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Vialle qualified fifth on the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and put himself in good position during Moto 1, taking the checkered flag in third position. The two-time MX2 World Champion and this year's AMA Supercross 250SX East Champion was challenging for the lead in the final encounter when he went down, managing to remount for a P8 result. Those finishes positioned the Frenchman fifth overall for the round, which in turn saw him captured second in the 250SMX World Championship for season 2024. Tom Vialle: "I'm pretty happy, the result was good this year, and we were strong across each series. I had a bad start in the first moto and then the second one was better, but I was really frustrated after the second moto because I was feeling really good before the crash. It was a little bit up and down this season, so now I look forward to the Nations and that will be a lot of fun next." Las Vegas started strongly for rookie teammate Julien Beaumer in qualifying second on the combined timesheets, but he was affected by poor track position across the two motos. After completing Lap 1 on 17th, he climbed to 11th in Moto 1, and then finished Moto 2 in ninth for P9 overall. He was seventh in the final 250SMX standings. Julien Beaumer: "Tough night! My riding was really good, I just didn't execute the starts, and on a track like this you need that track position early because it's hard to pass. It's been a good year, we made some big steps as a rookie, and the plan is to be up front next year." Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Aaron Plessinger was a picture of consistency tonight in the 450SMX class. After qualifying his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in P9, The Cowboy went 4-4 for fourth overall in Las Vegas, which also placed him P4 in the SuperMotocross World Championship for 2024. Aaron Plessinger: "Vegas was a really good. I was comfortable on the bike from the start and I had a really good start in the first one, ended up getting fourth in that, so I was pumped. Second moto, I rode really good again, and went fourth again, so after the last two weeks I will take that, for sure. We also moved to fourth in the points, so it was a good way to end the season like that." After entering the SMX Final in contention for the 450SMX title, reigning AMA Pro Motocross 450MX Champion Chase Sexton's chances unfortunately ended prematurely on the opening lap of Moto 1 tonight. The Red Bull KTM rider came together with another rider and injured his right hand, which ruled him out for the remainder of the evening. After finishing third in the AMA Supercross 450SX Championship and dominating the outdoors, Chase was placed seventh in the final SMX standings. An update on the extent of his injury will be made available after he undergoes further medical evaluations. Results 450SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda 2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda 3. Eli Tomac (USA), Yamaha 4. Aaron Plessinger (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 8. Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS 22. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Husqvarna 23. Christian Craig (USA), Husqvarna 24. Chase Sexton (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Standings 450SMX Class 2024 after 3 of 3 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 156 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 156 3. Eli Tomac, 129 4. Aaron Plessinger, 116 7. Chase Sexton, 89 9. Justin Barcia, 75 17. Malcolm Stewart, 48 20. Christian Craig, 34 Results 250SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Pierce Brown (USA), GASGAS 2. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha 3. Jordon Smith (USA), Yamaha 5. Tom Vialle (FRA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 9. Julien Beaumer (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 11. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), GASGAS Standings 250SMX Class 2024 after 3 of 3 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 166 points 2. Tom Vialle, 132 3. Pierce Brown, 131 7. Julien Beaumer, 108 11. Ryder DiFrancesco, 72 16. RJ Hampshire, 36 28. Casey Cochran, 4

CHASE SEXTON AND TOM VIALLE IN SMX TITLE CONTENTION AFTER TEXAS PLAYOFF 2 PODIUMS

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Chase Sexton won the second 450SMX moto and claimed P2 overall in Playoff 2 of the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) post-season at Texas Motor Speedway, as teammate Tom Vialle finished second in the 250SMX Class. Both are in title contention entering next weekend's SMX Final. After setting the pace in Free Practice on Friday, Sexton qualified his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION fourth in Fort Worth. Moto 1 saw the reigning Pro Motocross Champion sprint to P4, but he was saving his best until last when he took a commanding second moto victory with a winning margin of 9.897s. That placed him second on the podium, and with triple points on offer in Las Vegas, Sexton sits one point outside of the series lead in what will be a winner-takes-all scenario next Saturday night. Chase Sexton: "Getting a start is one of the key factors, but we actually made a change right before Moto 1 and I felt like I rode pretty well, but was just way back. In Moto 2, I got a good start and was able to ride my own laps – I felt like I did back in Pro Motocross. It was a good race, we ended up second overall, so we will try to keep building and come out swinging for Vegas!" Still managing the effects of his crash from Charlotte one week ago, 450SMX teammate Aaron Plessinger was eighth in combined qualifying, and then went on to record 9-7 scores for seventh overall in a gritty performance from 'The Cowboy'. Plessinger is currently ranked fifth in the premier class title race with one round to go, motivated to finish on a strong note at the SMX Final. Aaron Plessinger: "Second playoff of SMX went okay – I rode my outdoor suspension on this one and it was a little soft. I got off to a pretty bad start in the first one, was working my way up, and jumped off the track, so finished ninth. In the second one, I got a really good start, was running up front and my shoulder started feeling it, and I ended up dropping back to seventh. Not where we want to be, but we will try to improve a little bit for Vegas and the final round." Texas saw current 250SX East Champion Tom Vialle rebound for his first 250SMX podium of the year in second overall onboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. After qualifying in position six – within a second of the fastest lap time – Vialle finished third in Moto 1, then charged to a confidence-inspiring second as the checkered flag flew in the final encounter. He is now P2 in the standings, 19 points outside of the lead entering Las Vegas. Tom Vialle: "We are happy with the result today. The track was not easy – the same for everyone, of course – but I kept pushing until the very end. In the final moto, I was catching Haiden [Deegan] a little bit, but came up short. It was nice to be in the fight and it was a good race to get us ready for next weekend." Last weekend saw rookie Julien Beaumer earn a first-career podium and he backed that up with P5 this weekend at SMX Playoff 2. While not entirely satisfied with his result, it was another promising performance from the teenager, as consistent 5-6 results placed him inside the top five overall. Beaumer is also positioned fifth in the championship tally, eager to finish strongly at next weekend's decider. Julien Beaumer: "It was a tough day for me. I never really had the feeling I was looking for on this track, but P5 was a good result. We got a little bit better in that second moto, so not my best day, but fifth on a weekend that I didn't feel too good, we will take that and be ready to fight going into Vegas." Next Race: September 21 – Las Vegas, Nevada (SMX Final) Results 450SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2 1. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda 2. Chase Sexton (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 3. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda 7. Aaron Plessinger (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 12. Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS 13. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Husqvarna 14. Christian Craig (USA), Husqvarna Standings 450SMX Class 2024 after 2 of 3 rounds 1. Hunter Lawrence, 90 points 2. Chase Sexton, 89 3. Jett Lawrence, 81 5. Aaron Plessinger, 62 9. Malcolm Stewart, 48 12. Christian Craig, 34 14. Justin Barcia, 33 Results 250SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2 1. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha 2. Tom Vialle (FRA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 3. Jo Shimoda (JPN), Honda 5. Julien Beaumer (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 7. Pierce Brown (USA), GASGAS 13. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), GASGAS 15. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna Standings 250SMX Class 2024 after 2 of 3 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 100 points 2. Tom Vialle, 81 3. Levi Kitchen, 78 5. Julien Beaumer, 69 7. Pierce Brown, 56 12. Ryder DiFrancesco, 39 13. RJ Hampshire, 36 26. Casey Cochran, 4