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RED BULL KTM'S TOM VIALLE RECLAIMS 250SX EAST RED PLATE IN INDIANAPOLIS

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's defending Eastern Division Champion Tom Vialle reclaimed the series red plate via a second-place finish at the first 250SX East/West Showdown race of season 2025 in Indianapolis. In 450SX, Chase Sexton earned valuable AMA Supercross Championship points with P3 in the premier class Main Event tonight.

Vialle recorded the fifth-fastest lap-time in combined qualifying onboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, meeting the 250SX West contenders on-track for the first time this year. His form remained consistent from there, racing to fourth in his Heat as he prepared for the Showdown Main Event.

A measured ride following a top-three start in the saw ever-consistent French standout Vialle take a well-earned P2 result in the Showdown on a highly-deteriorated track, with the result seeing the two-time MX2 World Champion climb into the lead in the 250SX East point-standings following four rounds.

Tom Vialle: “Overall, today was a pretty good day. I started slow in Tampa and Detroit, then Daytona was a good turning point last weekend – I got close to the win and then the same this weekend. I spent the Main Event behind Seth [Hammaker], and I was trying to catch him, but he was riding good. The track was very tricky tonight, so I am pretty happy with second and we're right in the championship, which is where we want to be."

450SX Class title-challenger Sexton posted the third quickest time in the afternoon’s qualifying sessions, dialing in his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION on the rutted, technical Indianapolis layout.

In charging to a fast start in the second 450SX Heat, Sexton battled Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Aaron Plessinger at the head of the field during the opening laps, before taking the lead and taking a commanding victory.

A top-three start in the Main Event saw the number 4 push the pace in the early laps, keeping the pressure on before a late-race mishap resulted in a third-place finish. With five podiums in nine races, Sexton sits P2 in the championship as the second half looms.

Chase Sexton: “Back on the podium and tonight was good early on, with the Heat Race win. In the Main, the line I was taking in the sand rollers just went away and I lost the front, which is pretty easy to do especially when you get down into that clay dirt. It took me four or five laps to get back into my groove, which I did, but by the time I did there were only two laps to go. It's unfortunate, but it's racing. Now we have a week off to regroup and come out in Birmingham strong. Typically, when I come back from the break in the Supercross season I tend to be better, so hopefully I can do that again and get some good momentum back on my side."

Also equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Plessinger took ninth in qualifying, before a holeshot in his Heat Race saw ‘The Cowboy’ eventually greet the checkered flag in fourth place.

Battling inside the top-five for the duration of the Main Event, Plessinger would fall while attempting a pass for fourth, before remounting and continuing an impressive charge, which earned the number 7 fifth place as the momentum towards his season continues to build.

Aaron Plessinger: “That was a really, really good ride – the bike’s feeling awesome and a fifth place on this type of night where I hit the ground, I cannot be mad at that. Especially with how the season has been going… it’s been a wild ride, but we are getting through it and getting better and better. Shoutout to Aldon Baker, we’re doing a lot of laps down at the Baker's Factory, but it’s paying off, plus a big thanks to the whole team and everyone behind me.”

250SX West Class prospect Julien Beaumer returned to action in Indianapolis, nursing a shoulder injury sustained at the previous Western Division round. The Arizona native fought through the pain, powering his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to P7 finishes in both the combined qualifying times and in his Heat Race.

Come the Main Event, Beaumer salvaged an eighth-place result, which sees him retain second position in the 250SX West point standings, and he continues to remain in title contention leading into Seattle's next round of the region at the end of this month.

Julien Beaumer: “I'm happy with my night in Indy. Obviously I came in a little bit down, I haven't ridden since Arlington, so to get P8 in the Showdown was a good night of salvaging points. We'll get back into therapy this week, get back to 100 percent, and back on the bike before Seattle."

Next Race: March 22 – Birmingham, Alabama

Results 450SX Class – Indianapolis
1. Cooper Webb (Yamaha)
2. Justin Cooper (Yamaha)
3. Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
4. Justin Barcia (GASGAS)
5. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
6. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
9. Justin Hill (KTM)
17. Kevin Moranz (KTM)

Standings 450SX Class 2025 after 9 of 17 rounds
1. Cooper Webb, 193 points
2. Chase Sexton, 178
3. Ken Roczen, 167
5. Malcolm Stewart, 140
7. Justin Barcia, 129
8. Justin Hill, 114
9. Aaron Plessinger, 105

Results 250SX East/West Showdown – Indianapolis
1. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki)
2. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
3. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
4. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
8. Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
16. Lux Turner (KTM)

Standings 250SX East Class 2025 after 4 of 10 rounds
1. Tom Vialle, 79 points
2. Max Anstie, 78
3. Seth Hammaker, 68
4. RJ Hampshire, 67
17. Gage Linville (KTM), 20

Standings 250SX West Class 2025 after 6 of 10 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan, 129 points
2. Julien Beaumer, 117
3. Cole Davies, 104
11. Lux Turner, 52
13. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS), 35

    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