Aaron Plessinger on Triumph: More than just the next driver change

Aaron Plessinger is leaving Red Bull KTM Factory Racing after five years and signing a two-year contract with Triumph. On paper, this appears to be a classic manufacturer change. However, a closer look reveals that with the 30-year-old, Triumph is getting exactly what the still-young TF 450-X needs: a rider who knows what a winning 450cc bike in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross should feel like.

Plessinger's departure from KTM has now been officially confirmed. He amassed 24 podium finishes during his five years in Orange, eleven in the 450SX and thirteen in the 450MX. His two Supercross victories in San Diego in 2024 and Foxborough in 2025 further solidify his achievements.

His last KTM season, however, was anything but trouble-free. Several injuries set him back in 2026, and last weekend their time together came to an end at the SMX final in Ridgedale.

Now comes triumph.

Plessinger has signed a two-year contract with 5.11 Triumph Factory Racing and will compete in both AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross. And we won't have to wait long to see him on the TF 450-X. His first race is already scheduled for the Paris Supercross in November.

Five years of KTM leave a pretty good benchmark for comparison.

For Plessinger to achieve triumph, winning races isn't the only decisive factor. At least as interesting is... wo he has spent the past five years.

Since 2022, he has ridden the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. In only his second Supercross race for KTM, he finished second in Oakland. Further podium finishes and third place in the 450MX championship followed in 2023.

In 2024, he achieved his first 450SX victory in San Diego. Plessinger took over the red plate and stood on the podium again at the following race in Anaheim before an injury prematurely ended his SX season.

Outdoors, he finished third in the championship again with six podium finishes. His second 450SX victory followed in Foxborough in 2025.

Plessinger knows pretty much exactly what he expects from a 450cc factory bike. And he comes directly from a manufacturer that has been competing at the highest level in American racing for years.

For Triumph, this could prove invaluable.

Triumph needs more than just a fast driver.

The TF 450-X is still relatively new compared to the established motorcycles from KTM, Yamaha, Honda, or Kawasaki. Accordingly, Triumph's goal isn't simply to put someone on the bike who can ride fast on a Saturday night.

Plessinger is specifically supposed to help with the further development of the 450cc bike. That's a different task.

An experienced rider can't just say whether they like a setup. They bring comparative data. How does the front end react when turning in? How does the bike behave in successive whoops? How much effort does it take when the track gets rougher? How well can the power be put down?

Especially on a 450cc bike, such things can be more important than a few extra horsepower on the dyno.

Plessinger has five years of experience with KTM. He is now bringing this wealth of experience to Triumph.

He meets an old acquaintance, Jeremy Cocker.

The new environment won't be entirely unfamiliar to Plessinger either. At Triumph, he'll meet Jeremy Coker, now General Manager of Triumph Racing America. The two have already worked together – successfully.

Coker explicitly recalled this time during the announcement: "Winning championships with Aaron was, quite honestly, one of the most beautiful and fulfilling times in motorsport for me. I know what Aaron is capable of, and I know the determination and personality he brings to a team."

This gives the signing another dimension. Triumph isn't simply bringing in a well-known name, but a rider whose working methods are already familiar to one of the key people in the team.

This can simplify things considerably, especially during the first few months of testing.

Because Plessinger doesn't have to start from scratch, but with the TF 450-X they certainly do.

Plessinger believes in the TF 450-X

The American himself says that he has been following Triumph's development for some time. "I've been watching what the team has built over the past few years, and I truly believe in the potential of the team and the TF 450-X," Plessinger explains. "We all want the same thing: to win races and fight for championships."

Of course, a statement like this is part of a driver announcement. Nobody signs a new contract and then declares that they're hoping for tenth place.

What Plessinger says next is therefore more interesting. He speaks explicitly about testing and about really getting started with preparations for 2027 after his first race in Paris. And that's precisely where Triumph likely sees the greater value of signing him.

First Thailand, then the real work begins.

Before Plessinger takes to the Triumph, however, a rather unusual first work appointment awaits him. From October 6th to 9th, he will travel to Thailand for the manufacturer's Global Dealer Conference. There, he will be officially welcomed to the team in front of approximately 1.200 Triumph dealers.

After that, it's back to Georgia. At the team's base near Atlanta, work begins on the TF 450-X. First, basic settings will be established, followed by a more extensive testing program.

There's not much time for a relaxed getting-to-know-you phase. Plessinger will already be competing in the Paris Supercross in November. This will give Triumph an early first impression of how rider and motorcycle perform together under race conditions.

That will be of interest to us as well.

How much can Plessinger Triumph actually deliver?

Signing a two-time 450SX winner doesn't automatically make the TF 450-X a winning motorcycle.

But Triumph is getting a rider with pretty good experience to draw on. Plessinger knows the demands of a Supercross main event as well as a long outdoor moto and has shown several times during his time with KTM that he can ride at the front on the 450.

In addition, there is his connection to Coker. Coker knows from his own experience how Plessinger works and what he needs.

On the other side awaits a motorcycle that has significantly less experience in American 450cc racing than the machines of the established competition.

It is precisely this combination that makes the switch interesting.

Plessinger isn't just giving Triumph feedback on whether the TF 450-X feels good or bad. The manufacturer is getting a rider who can directly compare it to a motorcycle with which he has won Supercross races.

And Plessinger, at 30 years old, gets another opportunity to have a significant influence on the development of a comparatively young 450cc model.

Whether this will actually result in the victories and championship battles mentioned by both sides remains to be seen.

A first indication will come in November. That's when Aaron Plessinger will be on the starting grid for the first time with the TF 450-X at the Paris Supercross.

BamBam on the Move

Justin Barcia and Ducati part ways after just one season

Justin Barcia's time at Ducati ends after just one year. What began as an important part of the new US factory project was brought to an early halt by the serious crash at the Supercross season opener. Now Barcia and Troy Lee Design's Red Bull Ducati are parting ways – and a rather interesting path leads back to Suzuki for 2027.

Barcia was among the riders with whom Ducati embarked on its first full season in American Supercross and Pro Motocross in 2026. Experience, speed, and a rider who had spent enough years on a 450cc bike to provide clear feedback during the development of a new motorcycle – on paper, it looked like a perfect fit.

It was difficult to assess how much of a sporting success that might have been. The story changed at the season opener in Anaheim.

Barcia was involved in a violent mid-air collision at Anaheim 1 and subsequently missed most of the Supercross season. He only returned for the final two rounds. His speed was immediately back in Denver, but jumping back into the middle of an ongoing 450SX season after such a long break is a rather thankless task. 

Barcia had to catch up – Ducati too.

Team manager Josh Wisenor's assessment is interesting in this context, as he doesn't attribute the difficult year solely to Barcia's injury.

“After Anaheim, Justin had to catch up physically, while at the same time we were trying to catch up on the bike. From that point on, it was an uphill battle for the rest of the season.”

Wisenor thus describes quite openly what made the first year together difficult. While Barcia was unable to race for weeks, the Desmo450 MX was still in the middle of its development in the USA. Rider and motorcycle therefore had to make up ground simultaneously. 

Especially for a completely new program, this is not an ideal combination. Testing during the week is one thing. Developing a motorcycle under racing conditions against the established 450cc bikes is quite another.

Although Ducati had a second experienced rider in the team in Dylan Ferrandis, Barcia was missing as an additional reference for large parts of the Supercross season.

When he returned, the competition was already 15 laps ahead.

In motocross, the season became somewhat more normal.

With the start of the Pro Motocross season, Barcia received more race time. He worked his way back and finished the 450MX championship within the top 10. His best overall result was fifth place in Spring Creek. 

These aren't the results Barcia or Ducati probably wanted to make headlines with before the season. But they only tell part of the story.

Ducati was in the first year of a completely new US program, while Barcia had to regain its racing stamina after a long injury break. Added to this was the development work on the motorcycle.

Wisenor also recalls Anaheim 1. Before the accident, the team stated they had completed a good testing program and believed they were heading in the right direction with the bike. Barcia's performance in the heat race demonstrated what was possible at that time. 

Whether corresponding results would have resulted from this later in the season cannot be answered after the crash.

The last Ducati race was already in Los Angeles.

It is now certain that there will be no second season together.

Barcia confirmed that the SMX race in Los Angeles was his last start for Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati. However, the farewell wasn't particularly happy. He twisted his ankle in the first moto and had to abandon another test ride later in the week.

“Unfortunately, I have to say that last weekend in Los Angeles was my last race for the TLD Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team. I twisted my ankle in the first moto. I tried to ride this week, but it's just not possible.”

He is annoyed that his time with Ducati is ending in this way.

“It’s a shame it’s ending like this, but overall it’s been a damn intense journey. I want to thank the whole team who have stood behind me this year on this brand new bike. Everyone has worked hard and I think we’ve done a pretty good job in the end.” 

There is no question of scorched earth in this separation.

Wisenor explicitly emphasizes the contribution Barcia and his family made to the atmosphere within the team. His personality, humor, and way of interacting with the crew made him an important part of Ducati's first year. The team expressly wishes him success in his future endeavors. 

Is Barcia's path leading back to Suzuki?

This makes the question of 2027 interesting. Because Barcia has been linked with the... Pipes Motorsports Group He has been linked to the club. Should a deal actually materialize, the 34-year-old could be back on a Suzuki RM-Z450 next season.

This connection isn't entirely unfounded. Reports of a possible move have been circulating for some time, and Barcia is said to have tested the Suzuki over the summer. However, a contract has not yet been confirmed.

Suzuki wouldn't be a new brand for Barcia. He already rode for JGR Suzuki in 2017. Nearly ten years later, a return could be on the cards.

That would certainly be an interesting combination. Barcia brings a wealth of experience from various factory programs and has just completed a season in which developing a new motorcycle was a key part of his work. At Pipes Motorsports, on the other hand, he would be working with the RM-Z450, a bike whose technical basis has been known for considerably longer.

Whether this will actually become his next chapter remains to be seen. However, the connection to Pipes Motorsports persists, and with his now-confirmed departure from Ducati, the path is at least clear.

Ducati is simultaneously beginning the search for a new rider pairing. Dylan Ferrandis ended his active career after the SMX final, and Barcia is also leaving the team. This means the US project is facing a major personnel overhaul after just its first season.

Barcia's Ducati chapter has come to an end after a difficult year. It is not yet confirmed that his next motorcycle could be yellow again – but it would no longer be surprising.

KTM Covers Beaumer for MXoN

Ian Harrison on the logistics required to get Beaumer in for team USA MXoN

Ian Harrison has revealed just how busy his Saturday morning was and the schedule for this week in order to get Julien Beaumer a 450cc ready at the last minute for the biggest race of the year, the MXoN in Ernee, France this weekend as he joins team USA at the last minute as replacement for the injured Chance Hymas.

Ian said: “Pretty much my whole morning was tied up with calling Europe, finding out if we could get bikes from Belgium to Austria, if we could get them on the truck, if we could build a practice bike tomorrow.

“So we have engine guys going into the shop tomorrow to build an engine and then we’re gonna put a bike together Monday morning first thing and we’re gonna go testing with with Julian  And then Tuesday we’ll do a couple motors and then we leave Wednesday. So it was a massive commitment from a lot of people. You need exhaust pipes, you need fuel, you need bikes, you need gear, you need graphics, like the list goes on and on.

“So there are so many people in the background tomorrow that are gonna be wide open and I’m just thankful for them. So and I’m also grateful that Julian was like, I mean he was chomping at the bit to go, you know. I was like, dude, you know, this is a big race, you’re changing bikes. I was like, ‘are you sure?’  And he just wanted to go. So I give him a big check mark right there that he wants to ride for his country.”

Will Kick Start Kenny Hang'em Up?

Ken Roczen faces perhaps the toughest decision of his career

Ken Roczen still doesn't know if he'll continue in 2027. He doesn't lack a motorcycle or competitiveness. The real question now is: Does he want to commit to everything that a full season demands again?

In a conversation with Jonny Hopper before the SMX final, Roczen spoke unusually openly about precisely this question. Retirement wasn't a thought that had only arisen in recent weeks. The topic had been with him for years. There had been repeated periods when he struggled with himself and didn't feel well. Then the thought of quitting became something very real.

And yet he continued. For another year. And another.

Roczen understands why the discussion about his future might seem sudden from the outside. Internally, however, the matter has been on his mind for considerably longer.

2026 hasn't exactly made the decision any easier.

Because Roczen achieved something very important to him at a particularly crucial stage in his career: a title. He describes a moment from recent years when he was talking to his wife about how it would feel to become champion again.

At the time, this goal seemed far away to him. "I thought: If I could wake up tomorrow, it would all be over and I had this title, then I would probably be done. I've worked so long for this."

He now holds this title.

Roczen says that a huge weight has been lifted from his shoulders. Actually, this could be the perfect time to stop. At the same time, however, there's still Ken Roczen the racing driver.

And he apparently can't just carry on a little bit.

A few races? Not a real option for Roczen.

From the outside, a reduced program sounds quite appealing. A few select Supercross races, perhaps individual starts, and otherwise significantly less strain.

Roczen doesn't think much of it.

"Either I go all the way or not at all."

He says he would prepare just as intensively for one or two races as for a full season. Simply showing up and participating doesn't meet his standards.

This also explains why the decision is so difficult for him. Anyone who reduces Roczen's statements to just the question of whether he's still fast enough misses the crucial point.

He knows what another year means.

It's not about 17 Saturdays of Supercross or individual race weekends. The decision for 2027 involves months of preparation, testing, training, travel, and the constant ambition to be at the front. Roczen himself says he's currently struggling with this long-term commitment.

"Once you decide to do it, you're in for months and months. It's not just about a weekend, two races, or a few events."

Therefore, he wanted to compete in the three SMX races before making a decision. But even just before the final, the answer is apparently still pending. Roczen says he's currently taking it one day at a time and only wants to commit when he's absolutely sure.

Suzuki is also waiting

Roczen can't postpone the decision indefinitely, though. He knows that himself.

Because his decision doesn't just affect him. HEP Suzuki also has to plan for 2027. The rider, budget, testing program, and preparation for the new season all depend on whether the number 1 will be on the Suzuki again.

Roczen himself addresses this very point. "I know this question is real because the team needs to plan. I need to have a plan too, somehow. And honestly, I've been avoiding this question."

That doesn't sound like a driver who has already mentally quit and is just looking for the right moment to announce it.

But it also doesn't sound like someone who's already decided to be back at the gate in January. And perhaps that's precisely the difference.

It's not the speed that matters.

When a driver is nearing the end of his career, the question of whether he's still fast enough is often raised. With Roczen, that doesn't seem to be the main issue at the moment.

He continues to drive at a level where he can compete with the best. What seems far more important is whether he is prepared to dedicate his entire life to motorsport once again.

He doesn't do things halfway.

This also makes the often-mentioned option of a farewell year with a reduced program difficult. A little Supercross, a few selected races, and otherwise a gradual winding-down – Roczen practically rules out precisely this model in his statements.

Either do it properly one more time, or that's it.

After the SMX final, one argument that Roczen had been able to use to postpone the decision has also disappeared. He wanted to ride these three races and then see how it felt.

Now he has driven her.

So it's not just Suzuki waiting for his answer. Roczen himself has to decide whether the 2026 title was the end of an extraordinary career – or the reason to bring the number 1 back to the starting gate next year.

Prado on Deegan’s take-out attempt – “against that type of racing”

A defiant Jorge Prado says while he knows Haiden Deegan likes to ride aggressively, he won’t be able to push the top 450 riders around like the 250 class, with Prado managing to slip Deegan’s contact attempt and re-take the lead on his way to clinching the SMX title. 

Prado said: “My mentality was just going for the win. I didn’t have another option in my head. I knew if I got the win, I was sure I was winning this title because of my results, not because maybe of other riders. So I went for it in sprint for 20 minutes plus one. Sprint all the way. I couldn’t go faster than that and that’s a reality. I was doing my 100%. 

“I was fast in some areas, but he was getting me in others. So I couldn’t make that comfy, let’s say, three second gap where I know he’s not going to go straight into me. We got into some lappers, he got closer and I knew on that 180 triple 180, there was a chance there because I was leaving a lot of space in the inside. But I know the good thing is that normally when you leave a lot of space is because you’re on the main line. And if you hit your main line, good.

“You have a little gap. Normally, you’re fine. Well, with the lapper, he didn’t move. Obviously, the same guy always. And I wanted to go to the inside, then I moved to the outside and he pretty much hit and I think, Haiden, he opened up the corner and went straight into me. He just didn’t even turn. I mean, that’s not even a racing running. But by each other, I knew it could happen. That’s why Nick Connor, I really brake hard. And I could feel he was almost getting my front wheel. Like I could feel it. And for some reason, wasn’t enough to make me tip over. And I was like, okay, now I really need to go for it. So I knew in the sand I was making some time. So I was making sure as well that I was hitting that sand section fast.

“I don’t like those games of making block passes. That’s not the type of racing I race. He likes that. Maybe in the lower categories, he could play with the other kids, but not with me. So when you race with that mentality, normally you end up bad.. When you race clean, you have a lot of things in your favor.

“I’m against that type of racing. I’m not racing for the money like he is. I’m racing with passion and I’m racing because I love the sport, because I accomplished a lot of things in MXGP and I came over to the States and I prove to everyone that I can get world champion there as well. So I’m racing with passion and I think that’s what leads you to getting the number one.”

Deegan on coming so close to a title.

Haiden Deegan came close to winning his first 450 title at SMX but Jorge Prado held strong in the final moto leaving Deegan having to settle for the overall win and he knows what he has to work on for 2027.

Deegan also admitted he was in a full sprint for 20 minutes in a bid to beat Prado! “I damn near did everything I could because these guys are going so fast. We’re almost, it’s probably going as fast as you can on a dirt bike, so it was like every landing, every turn, you’re trying to just get it perfect, and towards the end, he made a couple of mistakes, and I was trying to pressure him as hard as I could but he hung on strong.

“After that first race, I was like, I have a chance to win this. We’ll see how the start goes. I know he’s usually pretty good at starts, ripped the start, and I mean, I took one shot, but again, not trying to do what I did last year, so, I’m going to try to ride it pretty clean, not make it too dangerous, and unfortunately, we ended up second, but fortunately, with this SMX series, you could still make some good money.

“To be honest, from start to finish, we were going at it the whole time. It was a sprint for 20 minutes. And I was just like, come on, fade a little, fade a little. He hung on. He really did. He made a couple of mistakes, but he hung on strong. So we sprinted that race 20 minutes. There was no pacing at all. I had one shot to try and make a pass and I took it and he was good. Squared it up. So props to him. But again, we are going at it for 20 minutes. There’s no pacing at all.”

“I feel like I made a lot of progression. Didn’t get to win an Outdoors, came into SMX, won two out of three. I mean, like I said, it doesn’t really matter now, but I didn’t biff it in that last round, we had the red plate. It’s like, progression’s going well. I’m stoked on it. I mean, yeah, it was just going uphill and we’ll have a good off season now. I mean, I’ll be able to work on the 450 for an off season, which last year I didn’t get out of the 250 and get ready for Supercross. So give me some more time to build. And now I could switch my training over, do some more strength training, get build up for this 450.”

“I think I just focused on me. I feel like in the past it’s worked, but it’s a lot of eyes everywhere. And it’s kind of just, I really need to get a team together, which I have done. I mean, as we can see, it’s helped a bunch. I want two out of these three SMX series, multiple fast laps, fast qualifiers. So for how quick we switched everything over, it’s worked well, but now a whole preseason with our group, it’s going to be good. 

“I had a lot of goals. I checked off a bunch. I actually checked off every single one besides, you know, I wrote one that was pretty big. I was like, we’ll see if we can get a championship. And we missed it barely, like barely. So I’m not going to get them all the time, but we did. We checked off a lot. I’m super proud of that. I think that’s a good thing for me. I got to give something to keep me driven and write that down and it keeps me hungry.”

“This 450 class, it’s literally every, but the top five is almost exactly the same. It just depends on that start and how hard you want to send it for the race. And you got to be fit too, because it comes down to the end. And as much as these guys don’t fade, like the 250 guys, you know, you get a little weak towards the end and you can kind of adapt to it and get them. But honestly, it’s just going to take a lot of pre-season work to get me dialled in so I can, you know, consistently try and beat these guys.”

Plessinger confirms he is leaving KTM and thanks them for the memories

Aaron Plessinger has written a message of thanks to KTM for their part in his career ahead of his anticipated move to Triumph that will close a successful chapter of his career with the Austrian manufacturer. 

AP said: “Time flies when you’re having fun. So many pictures/memories I left a lot out cause I can’t fit It but man where do I start, these guys took a chance on me and treated me like family from the start. For 5 years It was a damn good run. We had some ups and we definitely had some downs but overall we became such a good team/family and I can’t thank them enough for leading me to where I honestly never thought I could ever be. They made me believe in myself and accomplish a lot of my childhood dreams along the way.

“From my first win in the big dawg class to my best overall season to multiple Nations appearances, I’m forever grateful to this group. I’ve grown so much in this time and I’ll cherish the memories and friendships forever. So I would like to say THANK YOU ALL that were a part of this. As this chapter closes another one begins. Love all of you guys and I will see you soon but just looking a little different 😎 @ktmfactoryracing its not goodbye, its ill see you later ❤️”

ELI TOMAC | A LEGEND. ALWAYS

For 13 seasons, Eli Tomac and Alpinestars built more than a partnership. Together, we shared the pressure, the victories, the setbacks and the unforgettable moments that defined one of the greatest careers in Motocross and Supercross. From his rise to the top of the sport to championship battles and countless wins, Eli consistently pushed the limits of what was possible, earning a place among the sport’s most accomplished riders.

9 Championships. 8 Daytona SX wins. 57 450SX wins. 32 450MX wins. 113 career wins.

But beyond the numbers is a legacy built over 13 seasons. As Eli closes the chapter on his professional racing career, we look back at the moments, milestones and memories we were fortunate enough to share.

Thank you, Eli. A legend. Always.

Jorge Prado after 450 SMX title

Prado Hangs On!

The 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship came to a close at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri, with the final round delivering two very different championship battles. In the 250 class, Cole Davies capped off the season with a dominant 1-1 performance to take the overall victory, while Levi Kitchen rode smart and consistent with 2-2 finishes to secure the 250SMX World Championship. Landen Gordon completed the overall podium with 6-3 scores, while Julien Beaumer and Ryder DiFrancesco saw their title hopes fade after difficult second motos.

In the 450 class, Haiden Deegan took the overall victory with 1-2 moto scores after controlling the opening race and staying near the front in moto two. Jorge Prado, however, delivered when it mattered most. After finishing fifth in the opening moto, Prado grabbed the holeshot in moto two, held off the pressure behind him and took the win to secure the 2026 450SMX World Championship. Hunter Lawrence finished third overall with consistent 3-3 scores, while Ken Roczen went 2-5 for fourth and Cooper Webb rounded out the top five with 4-4 finishes. With triple points on the line and both championships coming down to the final motos of the season, Ridgedale provided a dramatic ending to the 2026 SMX playoffs.