2026 Silly Season

Motofinne
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11/22/2024 8:16am
Motofinne wrote:
I'm surprised that nobody has brought up the possibility that KTM doesn't want to re-sign Sexton. Top level dollar for a guy that basically has only...

I'm surprised that nobody has brought up the possibility that KTM doesn't want to re-sign Sexton. Top level dollar for a guy that basically has only brought bad PR to your bike is not easy to justify when times are tough. I could easily see them being perfectly fine with Sexton moving on after 2025.

Spoonguy wrote:

To sign who in his place?

-MAVERICK- wrote:

Vialle is already there and the Coenen twins are making the move over to America. 

Or Justin Cooper. Sure they aren't winning with him but they would save a lot of money during the time they restructure and look at a long term top guy that is paid to win titles.

Team403
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11/22/2024 8:23am Edited Date/Time 11/22/2024 8:24am

Sexton won’t be “the guy” if he pits with Deegs.  Shoulda stayed at Honda

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11/22/2024 8:27am
Team403 wrote:

Sexton won’t be “the guy” if he pits with Deegs.  Shoulda stayed at Honda

Lol he certainly wouldn't be "the guy" at big red also 😂

He should just to Star. 

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DonM
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Fantasy
11/22/2024 8:35am

It’s been out there that he’s planning on opting out of his contract. Would love to see him on a Kawi or Yamaha. 

Herr Lich wrote:

They'll be a spot on both of them.  Eli retiring and Old Hombre getting thrown out. 

LMAO the biggest hombre hater on Vital. 

You could take hombre out and still be correct....

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1

The Shop

-MAVERICK-
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Ontario, CA
11/22/2024 8:36am
Motofinne wrote:
Or Justin Cooper. Sure they aren't winning with him but they would save a lot of money during the time they restructure and look at a...

Or Justin Cooper. Sure they aren't winning with him but they would save a lot of money during the time they restructure and look at a long term top guy that is paid to win titles.

Vialle already has a contract and will need to move up. Plessinger is doing better than JCoop, so they already have a number 2 guy. 

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robtyl60
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Owensboro, KY, USA
11/22/2024 9:12am
UpTiTe wrote:

You don’t opt out of an expiring contract. 

 What pods say he’s going to Star? 



 

-MAVERICK- wrote:

He liked the Yamaha when he tried it, so him potentially ending up at Star, has at the very least some traction. 

His B class year he was on star or at least had connection to the team. 

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GrapeApe
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11/22/2024 9:24am

It’s been out there that he’s planning on opting out of his contract. Would love to see him on a Kawi or Yamaha. 

Herr Lich wrote:

They'll be a spot on both of them.  Eli retiring and Old Hombre getting thrown out. 

LMAO the biggest hombre hater on Vital. 

What he is, is a mirror image of the Deegan fanboys and apologists he so deeply despises. Dude is up to his chin in hypocrisy.

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JJ376
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San Diego, CA, USA
11/22/2024 9:31am
Motofinne wrote:
Or Justin Cooper. Sure they aren't winning with him but they would save a lot of money during the time they restructure and look at a...

Or Justin Cooper. Sure they aren't winning with him but they would save a lot of money during the time they restructure and look at a long term top guy that is paid to win titles.

-MAVERICK- wrote:

Vialle already has a contract and will need to move up. Plessinger is doing better than JCoop, so they already have a number 2 guy. 

If Vialle and AP ended up together on KTM 450s for 2026, it will be interesting to see how they measure up. I've got a feeling that Aaron will be better than Tom on the big bike.

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-MAVERICK-
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11/22/2024 11:10am
JJ376 wrote:
If Vialle and AP ended up together on KTM 450s for 2026, it will be interesting to see how they measure up. I've got a feeling...

If Vialle and AP ended up together on KTM 450s for 2026, it will be interesting to see how they measure up. I've got a feeling that Aaron will be better than Tom on the big bike.

He could very well be, but let's not forget that Aaron also has a lot of experience in the 450 class. Vialle would be a rookie and it usually takes a couple of years to adapt to the class. 

At this point in their career, Vialle has a higher ceiling. That's why I mentioned they already have a number two guy. Tom has more years ahead of him and time to develop. 

That said, Aaron is solid, and IMO, is more marketable than a guy like JCoop who appears to be more reserved. That's another reason why I think KTM would choose to keep Aaron over hiring someone like JCoop. Similar age, similar results, but one is more marketable. That counts for something as well.

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11/22/2024 2:37pm
UpTiTe wrote:

You don’t opt out of an expiring contract. 

 What pods say he’s going to Star? 



 

-MAVERICK- wrote:

He liked the Yamaha when he tried it, so him potentially ending up at Star, has at the very least some traction. 

He certainly could end up there, the conversation has already happened, but I haven’t heard anyone talking about it.

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Money
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Fresno, CA, USA
11/22/2024 2:38pm
UpTiTe wrote:

You don’t opt out of an expiring contract. 

 What pods say he’s going to Star? 



 

-MAVERICK- wrote:

He liked the Yamaha when he tried it, so him potentially ending up at Star, has at the very least some traction. 

UpTiTe wrote:

He certainly could end up there, the conversation has already happened, but I haven’t heard anyone talking about it.

More than conversations he’s ridden the bike before 

2
11/22/2024 2:40pm Edited Date/Time 11/22/2024 2:43pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:

He liked the Yamaha when he tried it, so him potentially ending up at Star, has at the very least some traction. 

UpTiTe wrote:

He certainly could end up there, the conversation has already happened, but I haven’t heard anyone talking about it.

Money wrote:

More than conversations he’s ridden the bike before 

 That was over a year ago. 

 I’m talking currently. 

4
NicNak
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11/22/2024 9:10pm

Someone said “if KTM doesn’t want to keep him?” 

From what I understand that really doesn’t matter? They already committed to the 3rd year, if sexton signs the extension. So balls in Chase’s course whether Ktm wants him or not? 

But also yeah ktm not wanting to keep the current MX Champ? Last years sx champ? One of the maybe 3 title threats to Jett? Chase gets a lot of hate for as fast as he is! 

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2
2/3/2025 11:51am

So, since Chase is lookin dam good on the pumpkin now, you think he'll be on orange in 2026? 

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KurtJ99
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2/3/2025 12:51pm

I thought there was suspicion that Eli's "last full season" comment implies he might do SX only next year. That would make Yamaha with three champions under the tent for SX  potentially. Seems unlikely or perhaps just too early too tell. Chase is looking great on the KTM and doing a reset to Yamaha, even if he likes the bike, may result in a drop in results initially. Who knows?

1
MXracr157
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Baton Rouge, LA, USA
2/3/2025 12:52pm
Team403 wrote:

^^ de Wolf or Coenen’s prob come reasonably 

Money wrote:

I could see dewolf going to pc after listening to his podcast. He didn’t seem too happy that the ktm group didn’t let him race bercy 

PC has not been keen on riders racing the European off-season events lately either.

1
Jdawggg
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2/3/2025 2:01pm

If Chase ends up winning SX title this year I would say he stays at KTM

8
ACBraap
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2/3/2025 2:10pm
Team403 wrote:

So what if KTM can’t afford to race - then what?  That would be a huge hit… 

They can't afford to race now but it hasn't stopped them.

2
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ACBraap
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2/3/2025 2:16pm

So, since Chase is lookin dam good on the pumpkin now, you think he'll be on orange in 2026? 

I'd give it better odds now than a year ago.  He and the bike seem to be working this year.  KTM solvency could throw a wrench in the works now.

1
1
uncledaddy69
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2/3/2025 2:22pm

Chase has an opt-out after this season. If he doesn’t exercise it, he’s staying with KTM for at least 2026, regardless of the company’s financial situation.

3
Team403
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2/3/2025 2:26pm

Honest question- if the Bull doesn’t win the 250W title does he come back one more time?  I have heard he’s guaranteed a 450 ride.  Seems like if you come back for a 4th season and something goes sideways your value is going to drop.  What say Vital Nation?

3
4
peanutt
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Chula Vista, CA, USA
2/3/2025 2:33pm

Brian mentioned that it was a 4 year plan on 250 before going 450.

1
2/3/2025 3:26pm

With Ducati obviously being around and talk at A1 about the head honcho’s at Triumph being present. Who do people think those two companies will be throwing money at for 2026? I feel like Roczen and Anderson are the leading off contract guys to fill the #1 spots, Cooper and Plessinger would be great second seats. Maybe Ferrandis would be another target for a #2 rider? 

2
web mx
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USA, MI, USA
2/3/2025 3:55pm

Roczen is TLD Ducati for 2026.

Roczen is "NOT" TLD Ducati for 2026. Fixed it for you.

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2
thewrizzle
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Rochester, WA, USA
2/3/2025 3:58pm

Roczen is TLD Ducati for 2026.

web mx wrote:

Roczen is "NOT" TLD Ducati for 2026. Fixed it for you.

Right, dropping Fox and Red Bull?

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1
tmx860
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2/3/2025 4:05pm
thewrizzle wrote:

Right, dropping Fox and Red Bull?

Marc Marquez had to leave Red Bull

2
uncledaddy69
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Huntington Beach, CA, USA
2/3/2025 4:10pm

Roczen is TLD Ducati for 2026.

web mx wrote:

Roczen is "NOT" TLD Ducati for 2026. Fixed it for you.

thewrizzle wrote:

Right, dropping Fox and Red Bull?

He wouldn’t have to leave Fox. He also may not have to leave Red Bull. 

3
Sully
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JP
2/3/2025 4:35pm
web mx wrote:

Roczen is "NOT" TLD Ducati for 2026. Fixed it for you.

thewrizzle wrote:

Right, dropping Fox and Red Bull?

He wouldn’t have to leave Fox. He also may not have to leave Red Bull. 

Ducati at the moment doesn't seem to have an energy drink sponsor, so I get why he wouldn't have to leave Red Bull, but why would he be allowed to stay with FOX?

3
uncledaddy69
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2/3/2025 4:37pm
thewrizzle wrote:

Right, dropping Fox and Red Bull?

He wouldn’t have to leave Fox. He also may not have to leave Red Bull. 

Sully wrote:
Ducati at the moment doesn't seem to have an energy drink sponsor, so I get why he wouldn't have to leave Red Bull, but why would...

Ducati at the moment doesn't seem to have an energy drink sponsor, so I get why he wouldn't have to leave Red Bull, but why would he be allowed to stay with FOX?

Troy Lee tried to sign him to Gas Gas in the past and told Ken he’d be fine with him staying in Fox. 

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1911
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2/3/2025 4:39pm

He wouldn’t have to leave Fox. He also may not have to leave Red Bull. 

Sully wrote:
Ducati at the moment doesn't seem to have an energy drink sponsor, so I get why he wouldn't have to leave Red Bull, but why would...

Ducati at the moment doesn't seem to have an energy drink sponsor, so I get why he wouldn't have to leave Red Bull, but why would he be allowed to stay with FOX?

Troy Lee tried to sign him to Gas Gas in the past and told Ken he’d be fine with him staying in Fox. 

Would Fox be fine with that?

1

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