Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will enter the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship with Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger intend to challenge for the 450MX class title.
Meanwhile, French former world champion Tom Vialle and Julien Beaumer are carrying high hopes for the orange brand in the 250MX season ahead, starting with round one in Pala, California, this Saturday (US time).
Ahead of his maiden motocross campaign since joining the team this season, Sexton (pictured here) has swiftly adapted to the KTM bike outdoors, and he is coming off a spectacular main event victory at Salt Lake City’s AMA Supercross Championship Finals last weekend.
With momentum increasing, the 24-year-old is determined to build upon his six-career 450MX overall wins over the course of this year’s 11-round series and to factor in the title race.
“I’m ready for outdoors! The team and I made some good development inroads by the end of the Supercross season to make me feel comfortable and at home with the bike and team,” said Sexton.
“Winning in Salt Lake really bolstered my confidence, and we want to keep that momentum going into Pala MX this weekend.
“We will keep doing what we’ve been doing all year long and working to get better with every race. I know I have a good group of people around me, so plan to throw everything at it this motocross season.”
Fan favourite Plessinger will make his anticipated and welcome return from a fractured elbow that unfortunately ended his Supercross season prematurely. The man they call ‘Cowboy’ – himself a former 250MX national champion – has been busy preparing in the background during recent weeks, due to race his way back to 100 percent fitness when the gates drop and the season opens.
Last year, the 28-year-old finished third in the final 450MX standings with three podiums to his credit.
Aaron Plessinger said: “I love racing outdoors, so can’t wait for the season to start – outdoor fans are my people! I’ve been back on my bike riding motocross for a few weeks now after injuring my elbow during Supercross.
“It’s actually given me a bit of a head start on the other guys, so I guess that’s the positive on what was a negative of having my SX season cut short. I’m looking forward to getting amongst the fans every weekend and having a good time with the KTM crew every weekend.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team manager Ian Harrison said: “We are excited for the Pro Motocross season and having all four riders on track at the opening round. Chase was extremely strong last year outdoors and I will say it will be a high-pressure situation to keep that same momentum heading into the 2024 season – time will soon tell in a few days’ time here.
“Aaron has been doing a great job getting ready for the season, his elbow has healed quickly, and his bike is basically where it was at last year, but with a couple of small improvements. He seems like he’s in a good spot and I’m happy to see him back for this weekend.
“On the 250 side, I think Tom will go into the outdoors very confident after winning the Supercross championship and already being a two-time MX2 World Champion, so momentum is on his side, too. Julien is entering his first full season, so we are expecting him to grow as the season progresses, and he has great team-mates around him to help with that progression.”
Photo courtesy KTM
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