Philip Rüf and Chase Sexton during joint training sessions
When it comes to the finest adjustments in modern performance development, Philip Rüf a central role. The Austrian has been working closely with for several years. Kawasaki Factory rider Chase Sexton together and accompanies one of the most complete riders in Supercross and Motocross not only physically, but also mentally through the decisive phases of his career.
After a challenging year and the move to Kawasaki, Sexton is facing a new chapter – with more freedom, long-term planning, and a clear focus on sustainable performance. In this interview, Rüf provides deep insights into his daily work with Sexton, discussing mental exhaustion, new training structures, the influence of the team environment, and why consistency, trust, and ease are crucial for the next step in his development.
Philip, in 2023 you told us how sensitive Chase is to training stimuli and how important balance is for his performance. Now, with his move to Kawasaki and his clearly expressed desire for more freedom and mental ease: What role does coaching currently play in helping him truly benefit from this new environment?
By now, after more than four years, I know Chase very well. During endurance training, I know exactly what heart rate zone he's in or how many watts he's putting out. Even during the morning warm-up, I can see how he's feeling and how he's moving. Accordingly, we adjust the training daily – especially during boot camp – to always achieve the best possible training effect.
Chase speaks openly about how the mental exhaustion of recent years was a bigger issue than his physical condition. How did you both use last winter to rebuild precisely this mental foundation – and how does a coach recognize that an athlete is truly "open" to development again?
That's right, he was mentally exhausted, especially after last season. That's why we deliberately gave him more rest initially and started training later. We had many good, long conversations and firmly integrated mental training into his daily routine. As a coach, you notice relatively quickly when an athlete is receptive again – when he listens, asks questions, and engages with the process.
The KX450 demands a different riding approach than his previous equipment, but Chase says he feels better physically and energetically than he did a year ago. How do you currently reconcile the technical switch to the Kawasaki with his long-term physical peak – and where do you see his greatest potential for 202?6?
I personally liked him immediately on the new bike. He's riding more freely and aggressively again, and he feels really comfortable. Chase is extremely strong physically and, compared to many others, only needs a few weeks to get back into top form. That's why we deliberately started later, worked through old injuries, and are now on a very good path. I see his greatest potential for 2026 in his enormous ambition and his clear will to win. He really likes the bike – and even more so the team around him.
Chase describes how the new team spirit and a somewhat "freer" environment are doing him good. How exactly does such emotional relief change your daily work – for example, in training management, communication, or dealing with peak workloads?
Chase wanted to complete the entire bootcamp at his home in Florida for the first time this year. That was a very good decision. We had significantly less travel stress, could do strength and endurance training directly from home, cook our own meals, and optimally integrate recovery. This allowed us to lay a very solid foundation. The team provided him with perfect support and basically fulfilled his every wish.
You've known Chase for years as an extremely determined athlete who rarely allows himself any rest. How do you balance his inner drive with the need to avoid overtraining during preparation?
We look at various measurements daily, but ultimately, communication is the most important thing. And since I myself rode motocross for a long time and complete all endurance training sessions with him, I can now assess his condition very well.
The change of training facility and the new, more stable environment in Florida seem to be helping Chase enormously. What physical and mental changes do you observe when an athlete – as in his case – finally finds consistency in their daily training routine?
He's rediscovered the joy of training. He's taking more time to recover and is also open to trying and embracing new things.
Chase himself says that with increasing experience, he understands better how to reproduce his performance. How has his self-perception as an athlete changed – and what impact does that have on your work as a coach?
Chase is now a very experienced athlete with a highly developed sense of his body. He pays closer attention to its signals and knows that success isn't just about hard training, but also about recovery, nutrition, sleep, and mental focus. For me, this makes working together easier because he trusts me, is open to new approaches, and I can contribute my ideas without having to convince him.
The last few years for Chase have been characterized by extremely high expectations and intensive training structures. What were the most important adjustments you made to bring ease back into his rhythm without losing his high level of professionalism?
A crucial point was to deliberately keep the circle of people around him small. This involved many honest conversations and a focus on rediscovering the joy of training.
You once said that Chase is one of the strongest drivers you've ever coached, both physically and mentally. Which developmental steps from the current offseason have impressed you the most personally – and why?
Clearly, it's his willpower and his determination. Chase doesn't make excuses – neither on nor off the track. If, for example, a section isn't working as it should, he practices it until he gets it right, no matter how many attempts it takes. This shows how focused and ambitious he is, without losing the joy of riding.
The long-term, three-year contract with Kawasaki provides planning security for the first time. How does this change your joint strategic direction – both for the 2026 season and with regard to its sporting "prime window" in the coming years?
That feels really good. Everything is planned for the long term, not just focused on the present. I've already made notes about what we can do differently or better next year – and I think the whole team feels the same way. We're really looking forward to what's to come.
In conclusion, it becomes clear that this fresh start is more than just a team change. Chase Sexton enters the next phase of his career with renewed clarity, mental freshness, and a long-term strategy – supported by trust, structure, and an environment that fosters development. For Philip Rüf and his protégé, the focus is not on quick results, but on sustainable performance at the highest level.
However, there isn't much time to relax: The SMX Season 2026 begins already at 10. January im Anaheim Stadium in California – that is, in slightly more than 14 daysThen it will become clear how effectively lightness, consistency and preparation can be translated into race pace.