Tout afficher

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."

KTM NEWS

RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING'S JORGE PRADO LANDS 450SX PODIUM IN SALT LAKE CITY

Afficher le profil
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado ended the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship with a hard-fought P3 podium result in Salt Lake City on Saturday night, completing a standout season of 450SX competition. The four-time world champion set the eighth-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION at Rice-Eccles Stadium, before capturing the holeshot and racing to a second-place finish in his Heat Race. Prado then completed the opening lap of the Main Event in third position, running at the front of the field as the 450SX title contenders battled directly ahead. Remaining patient throughout the race's duration, the 25-year-old climbed as high as P2 before securing a third-place finish. The Spaniard pieced together a standout first season teamed with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in Supercross, collecting two podium finishes alongside seven additional top-10 results, and ninth in the point-standings. Attention now turns to the Pro Motocross component of the SMX World Championship, which will commence in Pala, California, on May 30. Jorge Prado: “It has been a pretty cool Supercross season for me! I’m very happy to have made it to the end, and then obviously starting A1 with a podium, my expectations were high all year long, but I knew it was a learning curve. We had some good and bad moments, but at the end of the day, we got here to the last round and put ourselves back on the box with a great ride. So, I am very proud of myself and the work I put in every day, but also the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team. They have been putting a lot of work in as well at the test track, improving the bike with me. We learned so much this year – to be honest, I thought the change coming from MXGP to Supercross was going to be a little bit easier, but Supercross is a whole different world.” Two-time premier class champion Eli Tomac entered Salt Lake City with momentum after a return to the podium last time out in Denver, powering his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to P1 in qualifying with a 49.065s lap-time. An untimely crash just moments into 450SX Heat 2, however, saw the 33-year-old unfortunately withdraw from the event, with the team confirming the decision as a precaution following a heavy impact to his stomach/hip in the incident. Tomac’s maiden AMA Supercross campaign with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing began in spectacular fashion, claiming victory on debut at Anaheim 1 before backing it up with another win the following weekend in San Diego. He added further victories in Seattle and Daytona – alongside five additional podium finishes – to claim fourth overall in the final 450SX standings. Next Race: May 30 – Pala, California Results 450SX Class – Salt Lake City 1. Chase Sexton (Kawasaki) 2. Justin Cooper (Yamaha) 3. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 6. Justin Hill (KTM) 8. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 17. Grant Harlan (KTM) Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 17 of 17 rounds 1. Ken Roczen, 349 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 346 3. Cooper Webb, 315 4. Eli Tomac, 275 7. Malcolm Stewart, 203 9. Jorge Prado, 189 16. Aaron Plessinger, 99 23. RJ Hampshire, 38

ELI TOMAC AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING RETURN TO 450SX PODIUM IN DENVER

Afficher le profil
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac made a timely return to the 450SX podium with third position in Denver at Round 16 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship on Saturday night, as teammate Jorge Prado posted a solid P6 result after winning his Heat race. Two-time premier class champion Tomac returned from injury for his home state race in Colorado after missing Philadelphia altogether, setting the sixth-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in dry, technical track conditions. Tomac finished fifth in his Heat Race, before completing the opening lap of the Main Event in fourth position, and in a strong place to race forward. A brief stall in the sand section then dropped him back to P7, however, he charged through the remainder of the race to secure a P3 finish. Denver marks Cortez, Colorado, native Tomac's ninth podium of the 2026 season – including four victories – and sees him ranked fourth in the 450SX standings with a single round remaining. Eli Tomac: “I'm glad to land on this podium for the Colorado fans! I was so bummed when I stalled it in the sand. I just happened to stomp on my rear brake there and then, honestly, like double-stalled. Anyway, I was able to claw back there, had some fun on this track, and that was just a good bounce back. I'm happy to get back for these last two rounds, and love being on the West Coast, too – of course, home state in Colorado – and we'll try to get another podium next week." Four-time world champion Prado set the seventh-fastest qualifying time onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION within Empower Field at Mile High, before capturing the holeshot and a convincing fourth Heat Race victory of the year. After securing the Main Event holeshot, the 25-year-old ran inside the top-five for the race's duration, including a mid-race battle with teammate Tomac for third position, before ultimately claiming a hard-fought sixth-place result. He is positioned 10th in the 450SX championship points tally. Jorge Prado: "I would say Denver was a pretty positive weekend for me – especially after a couple of tough weekends, it was nice to get back towards the front with a Heat Race win. I adapted to the track well for the night program, and small achievements like that Heat Race are a big confidence booster for me. And then in the Main Event, I got a good start and tried to race with the guys up front – their pace was a little stronger than mine, but I tried my best to hold on. I made a small mistake before the triple, which cost me, so I'd say 95 percent of the race was good, just that last five wasn't perfect. P6 for the night was decent and now we have one round to go." Next Race: May 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah Results 450SX Class – Denver 1. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 2. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 3. Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 4. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 6. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 15. Justin Hill (KTM) 19. Kevin Moranz (KTM) 20. Grant Harlan (KTM) Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 16 of 17 rounds 1. Ken Roczen, 332 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 331 3. Cooper Webb, 297 4. Eli Tomac, 275 8. Malcolm Stewart, 189 10. Jorge Prado, 169 16. Aaron Plessinger, 99 23. RJ Hampshire, 38

EXPERIENCE BUILT FOR JORGE PRADO IN RAIN-AFFECTED PHILADELPHIA SUPERCROSS

Afficher le profil
Round 15 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship featured ultra-tough, rain-soaked conditions inside Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night, where Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado ultimately recorded a P16 result in the 450SX Main Event. The afternoon qualifying sessions provided a dry race track in Pennsylvania, with 25-year-old Prado powering his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to a competitive fifth on the combined timesheets with a 48.030s laptime. The skies then opened between qualifying and the night program, with a heavy downpour transforming the circuit into a mud race, where both speed and consistency would be at a premium for the remainder of the evening. In 450SX Heat 2, the four-time world champion claimed a vital holeshot, delivering a P5 result and – most importantly – a direct transfer into the night’s Main Event. A difficult start and intensifying weather saw Prado circulate well outside the top 10 on Lap 1, with the Spaniard forced to persevere with impaired vision from the outset. From there, he would climb to 16th by race’s end and continue his Supercross learning curve in 2026. Jorge Prado: “Philadelphia is done, and I had a great feeling in the morning. Qualifying was good – I felt super comfortable with the bike and track in dry conditions. Then everything changed for the Heat Race and Main Event – the Heat was actually not too bad, I was riding decent. And then in the Main Event, I had a terrible jump out of the gate with wheel-spin, and that made it super-hard for me. I wasn't really in a flow and struggling a lot, so that's it for Round 15. We'll come back next weekend!" Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate and two-time 450SX Champion Eli Tomac was absent from Round 15, as he continues to recover from his qualifying incident at the previous SMX World Championship round in Cleveland. Next Race: May 2 – Denver, Colorado Results 450SX Class – Philadelphia 1. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 2. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) 3. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 5. Justin Hill (KTM) 11. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 16. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 19. Grant Harlan (KTM) Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 15 of 17 rounds 1. Ken Roczen, 310 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 306 3. Cooper Webb, 268 4. Eli Tomac, 255 8. Malcolm Stewart, 171 11. Jorge Prado, 153 16. Aaron Plessinger, 99 22. RJ Hampshire, 38