I was just reading the thread about Ducati and their 2026 potential riders and it got me thinking, with Ducati and Triumph coming in 2026 to the 450 class who will fill all the seats?
I understand there are a lot of riders on the roster but how many “factory” level riders are there.
For example Beta have 2 great riders but regardless of the bike I don’t see either of them landing on a podium this year.
We could be looking at
Ducati - 2
Triumph - 2
Beta - 2
Gas Gas - 1?
Husky - 1?
KTM - 2
HRC Honda - 2
Star Yamaha - 2/3
HEP Suzuki - 1/2
Monster Kawi - 2
That’s 19 riders roughly, that’s nearly a whole main event of factory/ high end teams. Then add in all the top privateer teams like Quadlock Honda for example and it’s getting packed.
Obviously it’s amazing for the sport! Just wondering where the riders will come from haha
The 250 class
Really good riders there with no opportunity at a factory ride currently. When the rides become available they will move up.
Do both Hampshire & Vialle have to move up next year>
Hep will still probably have its 3 riders. Kenny is kind of on his own deal and the other two are team riders
I wonder if this will promt the development of a "B main" event like Arenacross
Sounds like top 5 level pros are about to get big pay raises because they will not be limited to 5 premier options. Started with Austria's 4: KTM, Husq, GasGas, Beta, and now Triumph and Ducati being their own team, not Austrian satellites. More money for the BEST doesn't mean more money for everyone.
Cool to see all the options coming in!
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Excellent. Riders salaries will probably go up with the teams bidding on the top talent.
Beta is their own manufacturer, not part of KTM Group. That’s why they have a limited budget compared to the money KTM group spends every year (which who knows if that’ll continue)
Get rid of the 250 east west coast series and let all 250 riders run the complete series may help, wont need two different teams any more for the 250 sx series
The entire 450 class should be factory riders.
Ah, thanks for letting me know!
40 guys make the night show. I'm fine with it not being a given that factory guys make the mains. I'm all for privateers but also not sure it's a negative for the sport if the LCQ isn't always filled with guys who will be lapped 4 laps into the main if they make it in. I'm sure the manufacturers are going to hate having to compete to make the mains but as mentioned this will hopefully lead to more investment from the teams. This is going to hurt teams like mad parts and club more than anyone else. Factory teams will be fine, support teams will go bye bye if they're rarely making mains and fighting to make night show each week.
The title doesn’t make sense.
I think you will see GG and HUSQ go away and there will possibly be 3 KTM 450 riders and 2 250 riders.
I can’t see manufacturers wanting to half their shot at a title. I love the idea of 250s running all of sx in a single series, but Star has 2 separate opportunities to win titles right now and cutting that chance in half probably isn’t something Bobby would want. It would drop factory rides for so many kids too.
Run a 125. 250 and 450 class.
The lower half of the 250 lads can go wring out 125s for our viewing pleasure.
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