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AARON PLESSINGER AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING TO RACE-ON TOGETHER IN 2026

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has re-signed Aaron Plessinger for the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), inclusive of the AMA Supercross Championship and Pro Motocross Championship. This latest contract extension between the pair signifies what will be a fifth-consecutive season together next year.

'The Cowboy' will race-on with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team managed by Ian Harrison, continuing what has been a successful collaboration. Plessinger will once again be READY TO RACE in the high-profile American series, equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.

With a single round remaining in Supercross 2025, fan favorite Plessinger sits sixth position in the 450SX championship standings and with five podiums to his credit. That tally is underscored by a popular second-career premier class victory at the Foxborough round in April, building momentum throughout the 17-round duration.

The 29-year-old Plessinger first joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2022 and has firmly established himself as one of the sport's most popular and competitive riders both indoors and outdoors. He has finished P3 in 450MX for the past two seasons and has also scored top-five finishes in the 31-round SMX World Championship series both of those years – fifth in 2023 and fourth in 2024.

In addition to his success in the United States, Plessinger has represented Team USA at the FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) on two occasions (2023-2024) since signing with KTM. The Ohio native's highlight came last year at Matterley Basin in the United Kingdom, where he stood second on the Nations podium as the American team's Open Class entry.

Aaron Plessinger: "It means everything to me to be part of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2026. I love everybody and everything about this team, it's been an awesome four years together already, and it's flying by, but we're having such a good time. We've had some really, really good results, so to have the team want to keep me around and keep going together, it's really special to me. I can't wait for what the future brings and my focus right now is to get the best results that I can with the team. To build the fanbase that we have is really special as well, because without them and their support we wouldn't be anything. It's always cool to meet our fans, to interact with the KTM Junior Supercross kids and their families at the races, and that's what dirt bikes are all about. To get people on the bikes that we ride and to become KTM riders themselves, it's why we do what we do each race weekend, to give them that added spark and interest in the sport. I'm super-excited for the remainder of this season and now into next year!"

Ian Harrison – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "Looking back on Aaron’s career here at KTM as we move into his fifth year with the brand next year, it's clear how much of an impact he has had. He is more than just a racer, he is an incredible competitor on the track and a huge personality off it as well. From his long hair and cowboy hat to his unique riding style, Aaron truly stands out. He is, and will continue to be, a massive part of the KTM fanbase into 2026. He brings energy, positivity, and authenticity that resonate not only with our team and the other riders, but also with fans, sponsors, and the entire racing series. He's had another incredible season this year after a rough start, showing grit and determination, achieving five podiums and consistent top-five finishes so far, including a victory in Foxborough. We’re proud of who he is and even prouder to have him on our team. His influence extends far beyond results – his connection with people, both inside and outside the paddock, ensures he will be remembered and appreciated for years to come. He is truly one of a kind, and we are excited that Aaron has signed a contract extension for 2026 to continue racing for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing family."

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RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING AND AARON PLESSINGER LAND HANGTOWN 450MX PODIUM

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Aaron Plessinger charged to a convincing 2-3 scorecard at the Hangtown National on Saturday afternoon, earning his first AMA Pro Motocross Championship podium result of the 2025 season amidst the high temperatures endured this weekend in Northern California. Round 2 began with Plessinger posting the fourth fastest 450MX qualifying time, before powering his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to the front of the pack in Moto 1. Upon holding position until the closing stages of the race, ‘The Cowboy’ would claim what was a hard-fought second-place after misjudging the time left on the clock. As temperatures continued to rise, Plessinger commenced Moto 2 by climbing his way into P3, which is where he would remain for the race to take second place on the podium overall for the event, and move into P2 in the 450MX standings after two rounds. Aaron Plessinger: "We’ve made some really good progress as a team outdoors and I feel like I have a great motocross bike underneath me. I felt good in that first moto and I wanted to see how long I could go out front knowing that it was really hot, but I misjudged the timing of when the race would end, unfortunately. That was a bit disappointing, but the second moto we went after it again, I made the pass on Hunter [Lawrence] for third, then I got really hot out there in the conditions. Second overall on the day, I’m pumped with that, and hoping it’s a little cooler next weekend!” Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer began his weekend with an eighth-place finish onboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in the opening 250MX encounter, before improving to fourth position in Moto 2, and sealing fourth overall for the Hangtown National. After two solid results across the first two rounds, Beaumer has climbed P3 in the point standings. Julien Beaumer: "It was a solid day for me at Hangtown. Fourth overall was a little unexpected after P8 in Moto 1, but we made some changes for Moto 2 and I felt better, which was good. My fitness was good with how hot the weather was, so it was a good end to the day, and I’m excited for Thunder Valley.” After running up front during the early stages of Moto 1 equipped with his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, an untimely fall drew an early end to the race for 250MX teammate Tom Vialle. The double world champion rebounded to an eighth-place finish in Moto 2 despite being impacted by a poor gate pick, salvaging a haul of valuable championship points. Tom Vialle: "Not the weekend I expected. I was running fourth in Moto 1, and then I had a crash about four laps in and couldn’t finish the moto, unfortunately. I hurt my elbow pretty badly, but we lined up for the second race and I had last gate pick because of the first race. I got a bad start and then came back to eighth, so I salvaged some points towards the championship, and I will be back to 100 percent for Colorado.” Next Race: June 7 – Thunder Valley, Colorado Results 450MX Class – Hangtown National 1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 2. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 3. Justin Cooper (Yamaha) 7. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 10. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) Standings 450MX Class 2025 after 2 of 11 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 95 points 2. Aaron Plessinger, 79 3. Eli Tomac, 78 8. RJ Hampshire, 56 12. Malcolm Stewart, 36 Results 250MX Class – Hangtown National 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 2. Jo Shimoda (Honda) 3. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 4. Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 11. Casey Cochran (GASGAS) 17. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 18. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS) Standings 250MX Class 2025 after 2 of 11 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 100 points 2. Jo Shimoda, 88 3. Julien Beaumer, 67 6. Tom Vialle, 52 13. Casey Cochran, 39 18. Ryder DiFrancesco, 27

CHASE SEXTON SIDELINED FOR ROUND 2 OF PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has confirmed that defending 450MX Champion Chase Sexton will remain sidelined for Round 2 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship as he continues to recover from a crash at the series opener in Pala, California. Sexton had a strong start to the Fox Raceway round by posting the second fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, before a costly early fall during Moto 1 ended his day abruptly. “I’m definitely banged up after last weekend’s crash but thankfully there’s nothing broken so that’s a positive,” Chase commented. “I’ve made the decision to sit out this weekend’s race and focus on getting back to 100%. I appreciate all the support from my team, fans, and everyone who’s reached out. Best of luck to my KTM teammates this weekend.” Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “It is unfortunate to announce that Chase will be sitting out this weekend for the second round of Pro Motocross at Hangtown. He came off a great 2025 Supercross season and showed phenomenal speed and strength at the opening round of Pro Motocross. Unfortunately, he took a hard hit in the first moto which sidelined him for moto two. After feeling the aftereffects of that crash, Chase has made the decision, with the support from the team, to sit out this weekend’s race. The health and safety of our athletes is the number one priority at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and we want to ensure that Chase is back to 100% before returning to the bike and the track.”