MXGP Sweden

Chase Sexton | Out Until SMX Playoffs 3

Chase Sexton has offered an update on his condition, post Ironman

Red Bull KTM's Chase Sexton has given an update on the situation he encountered at Ironman, along with an update on his condition at the moment, along with his thoughts going forward. Sadly, his words point to the revelation that he will not compete in the final two AMA Pro Motocross races this season. Instead, he chooses to turn his focus to being fully recovered and ready to race come the SuperMotocross Playoffs and Championship race, with the playoffs beginning in a little over a month in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

To read Sexton's update, check directly below. For more information on the issue this weekend, KTM's official statement can be found by scrolling further.

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Chase Sexton - "Good day going at Ironman until it wasn’t, going 1-DNF on the day. A Brake malfunction second moto was out of my and Jade's control, and for me, I was just a passenger at that point, and I tried all I could do to save it. With that being said, I’m still encouraged by my riding and am happy with how it was going up until that point.

As far as my body goes, my right shoulder is weak from the crash, and I'm getting it looked at this week. With that being said, it’s in my best interest to get ready for SMX and come in at 100%. Just want to say thank you to the fans for always having my back, and I can’t wait to see y’all in Charlotte."

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Red Bull KTM's Statement

Ian Harrison, Team Manager - “After inspecting the bike Saturday evening, and reviewing the bike data, we now have a clearer understanding of what led up to Chase's crash in moto two at Ironman, and I want to clarify that it was neither rider nor mechanic error.

Initially, we thought it was a front brake issue, but we now know that debris got into the rear brake system, preventing Chase from activating the rear brake. This forced him to reduce all his speed using only the front brake. We can also see from the bike data that he left the jump on this lap at a much higher rate of speed than at any other lap during the day.

This issue, in turn, caused Chase to crash. The bike landed on the right side first, which then caused the front brake lever to get packed with mud and activate. Chase was unable to continue because of this.

We will actively look for a solution to prevent this from happening again, but as we know, in racing, motocross is tough on the equipment, and when you add the speed and intensity that our riders race at, this exaggerates everything. This was disappointing for both Chase

and our team, as well as the fans.”

Pit Beirer on KTM, Chase Sexton and Jeffrey Herlings

Deegan Stays at Star Racing

Deegan Re-Signs with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan to join the 450 team in 2026

MARIETTA, Ga. – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is pleased to announce a multi-year deal with Haiden Deegan that will see him continue with their championship-winning program. The Californian has enjoyed success aboard the team’s YZ250F – going from a title-winning A-class amateur to a multi-time champion in the pro ranks – and looks to continue that success next year as he embarks on his rookie season aboard the YZ450F. In 2026, he will join the 450 team, starting the year off by making another Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX title run under the 450 tent, and then launching his premier class title campaign with them in Pro Motocross and the SMX World Championship Finals.

Since joining the team’s amateur program in the fall of 2021, Deegan has been a proven title contender, winning multiple national titles and going on to enjoy a stellar pro debut season with Rookie of the Year honors in both supercross and motocross, and his first 250SMX title. In just three years, the 19-year-old has amassed an impressive number of titles and race wins aboard the team’s YZ250F. In addition to earning back-to-back 250SMX titles (2023-2024), he secured the 2024 Pro Motocross 250MX Championship and the 2025 250SX West Championship a round early. He currently has seven 250SX wins, 12 250MX overall wins, and three 250SMX wins.

With three rounds remaining of the outdoor season before the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals, it’s already been a storied season for Deegan. After sealing the deal on his first 250SX title with four wins and a total of nine podium finishes, he went on to launch a formidable title defense outdoors. The reigning 250MX and 250SMX Champion has earned five overall victories and 10 moto wins thus far, giving him a comfortable 45-point lead in the 250MX Championship and a 103-point lead in the 250SMX Combined Points. As the 2025 season comes to a close, Deegan has his sights set on securing the crown in both championships to cap off a successful tenure with the 250 team.

Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS

Team Yamaha Early 80s

Imagine the payroll on this bunch! Look closely and you'll spot our own #33.

Old School Suspension Testing

                                                                                    

KTM on Herlings Return

Jeffrey Herlings has recovered sufficiently from a broken right collarbone to return to MXGP action this weekend in the deep sand of Lommel.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider steered his KTM 450 SX-F through a training session in the Netherlands yesterday (Thursday) and felt fit and happy enough to confirm his attendance this weekend in Limburg, Belgium.

The 30-year-old Dutchman won in Lommel in 2024 and his ability and speed in the sand is world renowned. Herlings was victorious in Germany and Latvia this season (from the nine rounds he has contested) before missing events in Finland and Czechia due to the collarbone injury sustained while training and has been almost a full month in a natural recovery and rehab process.

Joel Smets, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Jeffrey went riding today and felt good and strong enough to enter the GP this weekend in Lommel. We’re happy to have him back but we have to be realistic about what to expect. Jeffrey is the sandmaster but has still missed two races and will have to build-up his feeling again. The team have had some fantastic results recently and we’re focused on both MXGP and MX2 titles. With the #84 also in the gate then we know we can continue to set the pace.”

Tony Cairoli All Things Racing!

Combined SMX points lead ‘definitely motivating’ Cooper

Premier class contender has posted a strong 2025 season to date.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper sits atop the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) points tally after posting a consistently fast season of racing, indicating that it’s ‘definitely motivating’ to lead the premier class standings.

Cooper has been solid this season, having made all 17 Monster Energy Supercross races, while also competing in the eight Pro Motocross events contested so far. Six podiums across the board highlight his speed, with a P2 finish at the Indianapolis Supercross his season-high result.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, however, with the 27-year-old experiencing a violent fall during qualifying at the Spring Creek National, charging on to a hard-fought 10th-place finish. Taking the week off before Washougal, Cooper would again grit his teeth for a P6 overall result leading into the two-week break.

“I took the week off, I was definitely sore from Millville,” commented Cooper. “I kind of landed on my left side and head, so the trauma from slamming the ground at that speed is what has got me right now, but I taped up the shoulder and just tried to reset [at Washougal], and go into it like a normal day. I would say it was a solid day considering what we were dealt, but I’m looking for more after the break.”

Keeping Cooper on the line has been his position in the SMX standings, as the number 32 overtook absent teammate and 450SX Supercross champion Cooper Webb after the seventh round in Millville at the top of the points table with three regular season races remaining.

“It’s special,” Cooper continued. “It’s definitely motivating me, and probably why I am racing on. We have three more rounds before SMX starts up, and I’m looking to get back to form and finish this series out strong – we still have a shot at P3 in the outdoor championship, so we’ll rest up and come out strong for Ironman.”

Cooper now holds a 45-point advantage over Webb in SMX, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton is third and a further 31 markers down. In addition, he currently sits P4 in the Pro Motocross standings, eight points from teammate Eli Tomac in third place.

Three rounds remain in the American outdoor campaign for 2025, before the high-profile SMX post-season officially commences at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, from September 7.

ROGER DECOSTER STEPS DOWN AS TEAM USA MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS TEAM MANAGER

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, five-time 500 World Champion Roger DeCoster has retired as the manager of the U.S. Roger DeCoster Retires as Motocross of Nations Team USA Managerteam, capping a 44-year career during which he guided U.S. riders to 25 titles at the annual FIM World Championship event.

“Roger De Coster’s impact on Motocross in America is indelible and without compare,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “On behalf of the AMA Board of Directors, AMA staff and AMA members everywhere, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for the decades of leadership, guidance and numerous FIM World Championships. Roger, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

The MXDN is the premier motocross race in the world. In 2024, three-rider teams from 36 countries converged on Matterley Basin in Winchester, U.K., to battle for the FIM Chamberlain Cup. This year’s event is at Ironman Raceway USA in Crawfordsville, Ind., Oct. 3-5.

Roger celebrated his 81st birthday 4 days ago, but he is in amazing shape.

Roger DeCoster has managed the American Motocross des Nations 36 times, four of those included the Trophee des Nations race that prior to 1984 featured 250cc motorcycles. With DeCoster at the helm, Team USA has won the MXDN 21 times and the Trophee des Nations four times. IT should be noted that we didn’t sned a Team USA in 1979, 1980, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2020, and 2021

“I always wanted our sport to become bigger, more important and more respected around the world,” said, Roger De Coster, “This is why I raced in many places around the world besides the GPs — Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Australia — and ended up in the United States for good. For me, the Motocross des Nations became the single biggest race of the year, and I am very thankful to the U.S. riders and all the people who supported this event with their best efforts and gave me the support to fulfill a lot of my dreams. Thank you, all.”

Starting this year, in alignment with the approach of most FIM National Federations, the AMA Director of Racing will lead the team, working closely with the individual riders’ team managers to prepare the riders, develop strategy and take responsibility for key decisions.

Roger DeCoster remains active in the sport as the Motorsports Director for KTM North America. Previously, he was the team manager for Team Honda and Team Suzuki before taking the helm of the KTM factory team in both AMA Supercross and Motocross.