Herlings set for first 2025 MXGP appearance with round four in Sardinia on the agenda
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is anticipating a full-strength premier class line-up for the Grand Prix of Sardinia at the Riola Sardo circuit this week with MXGP icon Jeffrey Herlings edging closer to race fitness.
The most successful Grand Prix winner of all-time has been recovering from a right knee reconstruction performed in October 2024 and climbed back on his works KTM 450 SX-F three weeks ago. Herlings has been logging laps and motos as well as making modifications to his 2025 set-up to turn his attention to the international stage.
The 30-year-old five-times world champion has missed Grands Prix in Argentina, Spain and France but will now rejoin the series for his fifteenth world championship year and eighth in the premier class. He’ll link-up with teammate Lucas Coenen in the MXGP gate at the deep and rough sandy track where he has scored two wins and one podium finish in the last four seasons.
A hard-fought podium finish was earned by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tom Vialle in Round 5 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the Southwick National, with second place overall elevating him to P3 in the 250MX standings. Dual MX2 World Champion Vialle posted a strong performance at the fifth round of the season in Massachusetts, guiding his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to second position on the combined qualifying timesheets. An early fall in Moto 1 saw the Frenchman rebound to an impressive third-place result after charging his way forward, before another P3 ride in Moto 2 sealed second overall for the day. With his result, the 24-year-old climbs to third in the 250MX standings after his third podium of the year outdoors. Tom Vialle: "I made it tough on myself in Moto 1. I was in third and then tried to make a quick pass on the first lap, but I fell. Crashing on the first lap loses you a lot of positions, so I think I remounted in 12th or 13th. I had a tough race from there, came back to P3, and I felt like my speed was really good, but I used a lot of energy. Second moto, good start and I passed a couple of guys, but I was tired from the first moto using all that energy. Overall, the speed was good, but we’ve still got work to do.” 250MX teammate Julien Beaumer began his weekend with P7 in qualifying, before two challenging races with 18-22 scores onboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION marked a trying weekend in the sand. He's currently ranked 13th in the championship. Julien Beaumer: “That was a really bad day at Southwick. I struggled in the sand, even with the work that we’ve been doing to improve in those conditions – I just need to be better on softer surfaces, but we’ll be better at RedBud.” Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450MX contender Aaron Plessinger's Southwick National began with him setting the 10th fastest time in qualifying, before taking his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to a fourth place finish in Moto 1. A strong start in Moto 2 saw Plessinger in the mix with the front-runners, holding strong in P4 before a fall cost him energy in the latter stages of the race, with ‘The Cowboy’ finishing in eighth position and being credited P7 overall for the round. With five rounds completed, AP sits fourth in the 450MX standings. Aaron Plessinger: “I struggled at Southwick from the beginning today, but I did get off to an awesome start in Moto 1. I was right toward the front and then I started losing the tow, so finished P4 in that one. In the second moto, I was in a good spot again, but then a small mistake ended with me on the ground. My energy went away with that crash, so I did what I could for eighth. We finished seventh overall, with this being my first time out of the top-five this season. We’ll regroup, rest up, do our homework, and come out swinging at RedBud!” Next Race: July 5 – RedBud, Michigan Results 450MX Class – Southwick National 1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 3. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 6. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 7. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 9. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 10. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) Standings 450MX Class 2025 after 5 of 11 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 240 points 2. Eli Tomac, 202 3. Hunter Lawrence, 197 4. Aaron Plessinger, 188 6. RJ Hampshire, 149 11. Malcolm Stewart, 82 21. Justin Barcia, 21 Results 250MX Class – Southwick National 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 2. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 3. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 15. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS) 21. Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Standings 250MX Class 2025 after 5 of 11 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 244 points 2. Jo Shimoda, 186 3. Tom Vialle, 165 13. Julien Beaumer, 91 14. Casey Cochran, 88 16. Ryder DiFrancesco, 65
2025 EMX125 European Championship protagonist and promising teenage motocross prospect Aron Katona has extended his contract status with KTM Factory Racing. He will continue the following phases of his career in orange thanks to a long-term agreement.
Laengenfelder wins all MX2 races at Matterley Basin as Coenen finishes 2nd in MXGP. Herlings takes 5th overall. Discover KTM’s full results from the UK GP.
