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CHASE SEXTON AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING EARN CHARLOTTE SMX PLAYOFF PODIUM

A weather-affected commencement to the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Playoffs at Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton earn second overall as a result of his Moto 1 score this afternoon, with the second 450SMX and 250SMX motos canceled following an extended delay due to lightning in the area.

Sexton powered his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to the fastest time in combined qualifying while working his way back into racing after a stint on the sidelines, before charging to a hard-fought P2 finish in Moto 1 as he surged forward through the field.

With lightning emerging directly following the first 450SMX race, teams and riders were then placed in a holding pattern waiting for the weather to pass, however, it didn’t materialize as the event was eventually called altogether.

As a result, Sexton’s Moto 1 score is where he would finish overall in the first of three post-season rounds, with the next event taking place at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, next weekend. He has also climbed to second in the overall SMX standings.

Chase Sexton: "Round one of the Playoffs here in Charlotte was a good day. I qualified first, then finished second in Moto 1 after getting a really good start – I just went too wide and had to come back from fifth or so. I had a good flow, even if the track was really sketchy today, so I’m happy to be leaving healthy. We go into the next race nine points down, and we have double and triple points upcoming. It’s time to shine and have some good upcoming weekends.”

In 250SMX, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tom Vialle qualified eighth fastest onboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, navigating the ultra-technical zMAX Dragway layout to earn P7 in Moto 1 after making a strong start. Without contesting a second moto, the two-time MX2 world champion and reigning 250SX East title-holder collected seventh overall for the day.

Tom Vialle: “We couldn’t ride the second moto here in Charlotte because of the weather, which is unfortunate. I had a great start in Moto 1, and I think I was in fourth, but I was struggling a little bit with getting comfortable on the track – it was really deep all weekend on both Friday and Saturday. I finished seventh and that was the result for today, as they canceled the second moto. We’ll get back to training and be ready for next weekend and then the Final, which will be very important with all the points on the line.”

250SMX teammate Julien Beaumer endured a more difficult day at SMX Playoff 1, recording the 11th fastest time in the opening 250SMX qualifying session on his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, before an incident in the second timed session ended his weekend early. The 19-year-old was transported to hospital, where it was confirmed that he sustained a burst fracture of his L3 vertebra and has since undergone surgery to stabilize the injury.

Next Race: September 13 – St. Louis, Missouri

Results 450SMX Class – SMX Playoff 1
1. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
2. Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
3. Eli Tomac (Yamaha)
5. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
10. Justin Barcia (GASGAS)
13. Justin Hill (KTM)

Standings 450SMX Class 2025 after 1 of 3 rounds
1. Jett Lawrence, 47 points
2. Chase Sexton, 38
3. Justin Cooper, 36
7. RJ Hampshire, 29
9. Justin Barcia, 25
12. Malcolm Stewart, 20
13. Aaron Plessinger, 14

Results 250SMX Class – SMX Playoff 1
1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
2. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki)
3. Jo Shimoda (Honda)
6. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS)
7. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

Standings 250SMX Class 2025 after 1 of 3 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan, 50 points
2. Jo Shimoda, 42
3. Seth Hammaker, 34
4. Tom Vialle, 33
9. Ryder DiFrancesco, 23
14. Julien Beaumer, 15

KTM NEWS

KTM celebrates 28 championship titles in 2025

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A season of dedication and teamwork delivered 28 major racing championships worldwide through a spread of disciplines in 2025 – including 16 international rider crowns, and 12 FIM manufacturer titles. The unprecedented accumulation represents a new annual benchmark for the company. KTM extends its sincere thanks to all factory riders and independent competitors, along with their teams, for their valuable contribution, unwavering dedication, and loyalty throughout the various competitive campaigns.

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING EXTENDS THANKS TO CHASE SEXTON

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Following two seasons in the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing thanks Chase Sexton for the success achieved together throughout 2024 and 2025. KTM and Sexton dominated the AMA Pro Motocross Championship in 2024, winning seven of 11 rounds en route to earning the 450MX title outdoors. Despite his title defense being cut short in 2025, this year's highlight came via a single overall victory at Washougal. Supercross saw the 26-year-old Illinois native finish third in the 450SX standings in 2024 and he improved to the runner-up position in 2025, falling short of the championship by only two points this season. In total, Sexton won nine 450SX Main Events onboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, with seven of those this year – including Anaheim 1's high-profile opening round – making for the winningest season of his Supercross career. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing wishes Chase well for 2026 and beyond.

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING THANKS TOM VIALLE FOR WINNING YEARS TOGETHER

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing extends its thanks to Tom Vialle following an illustrious seven years together across both Europe and the United States, achieving two MX2 World Championships and a pair of 250SX East Supercross Championships. Vialle joined the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team ahead of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship season in the MX2 category, finishing fourth in his debut campaign before capturing his first MX2 World Championship in 2020. The Frenchman would lift his second MX2 World Championship trophy at the conclusion of a thrilling 2022 series, before relocating to North America at the beginning of 2023 to contest the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), including both the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross Championships. After a promising rookie season in the U.S., Vialle fulfilled his goal of becoming a Supercross champion in 2024 onboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, before successfully defending his crown when the 2025 championship went down to the wire in Salt Lake City this past May. The now 24-year-old has also displayed his capabilities outdoors in 250MX, finishing as runner-up in the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. He also finished second in the hybrid-type 250SMX standings that year, before backing his result up with third position in 2025. Over the past seven seasons, Vialle and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing have built an impressive record together, firmly establishing him as one of the most accomplished 250 cc riders of his generation on the global stage. From 2019 to 2022 in Europe, Vialle amassed 24 MX2 Grand Prix victories, 44 individual Race wins, and 46 overall podium finishes to underline his two MX2 World Championships. Upon arriving in the United States and achieving his two 250SX East titles, Vialle has claimed three Supercross wins and 18 podium results in 250SX, while earning two-career Pro Motocross 250MX round victories and eight podiums overall. He also has three 250SMX Playoffs/Final podium finishes to his credit. In addition, Vialle was a key part of Team France's victory at the 2023 FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN), where he won the MX2 category individually with the full support of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The entire Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team thanks Tom for his dedication and success and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.