Sexton has that KTM dialed, I mean he has never looked better on that bike nor looked better in general. I'm struggling to understand why he wants to move again, outside of him perhaps worried about KTM and the financial situation. He is my bet to win the outdoor title.
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KYB suspension. Fewer ppl fewer layers, less pressure, less hectic. Easier to get in and stay in the zone there when you have ADHD than when you have tons of ppl over your shoulder all the time.
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I agree with you 100 %.
It is mind boggling that he is jumping ship.
I will take that bet !!
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Maybe everyone he works with is lame or he doesnt get along with them. Weve all had shitting workers around us. Not a vibe, he seems perhaps a bit of a headcase so he could just not be happy. Who knows but i wouldnt lose sleep over it, we will never know the real answer in the sport
A paycheck.
I've been beating that drum for weeks. I dont get it. It has to be financial because I dont think its physically possible for him to be better on the Kawi. As a Chase fan I'm genuinely bummed out now we get a year of him searching for new settings on Kawi. Hes gonna to smash outdoors. Only dude beating him is Jett
If they let him run KYB suspension. I would assume he would ask for that choice though when doing the contract.
I wonder how much of his decision was based on KTMs financial situation…versus Plessinger who signed on for another year ..
To me it’s odd KTM is signing anyone for next year…how would they have their 2026 budget completed with the mess their in…
Maybe he doesn’t like the team tactics that Roger employs every single year for titles they are in line to lose
At least he wont be taking Kawasaki a number 1 plate they didn't earn, kind of like KTM got there's the easy way
He is so dialed into the KTM and is currently the fastest man on the planet. I guess money is the deciding factor but for his results I think it would be a huge mistake. I hope he stays where he’s at
On one of Mathes recent shows, he said something along the lines that Chase had stopped searching for settings. Like he was inferring he wasnt happy with the bike but just taking it for what it was and "riding the damn bike," to quote RC. Its hard to believe hes not happy with the bike when he lioks so dialed. Who knows. Maybe Chase will give us the scoop in the future
Secure employment
He's leaving because there is some sort of internal beef with the higher ups at KTM!! Have you noticed every time he's on the podium he flips his KTM hat backwards?
As if he wouldn't immediately have multiple other job offers immediately if something were to happen with KTM (which, it won't). The guy is an elite talent and threat to win every race and every series at the highest level of the sport. He will always have a good ride regardless of the circumstances.
He would have immediate offers, but what if they still owe him several hundred thousand $? and go bankrupt? What if they fold or get absorbed by another company this November and eliminate pro racing our even pause it.....and he is left without a ride a month before the season.
If you worked for a company and your salary was $1,000,000, but that company is facing at a minimum major restructuring....and their stock has taken a massive dump again in the last few weeks....and another company offered you the same salary (or more) and likely a 3 year contract with likely even better benefits etc...what would you do?
Wonder what will happen too now that Vialle has to move to a 450 indoors next year. Assume they could move him to one of the other Austrian brands if needed. But not sure if tom is a Red Bull athlete or just has been because of KTM affiliations.
Pit Row
Vialle is not top tier regardless of this unlikely title. Like many other 250 champs, he will get a factory ride and be top 10 maybe. If KTM hires him and Chase leaves, they do not have a title contender. Not even close.
Let’s come back two weeks from today with the fastest man in the planet talk!! Few riders lining up at round one that may have something to say about that
This just feels like the only answer that makes sense.
As for Kawi, he’d be able to run KYB or Showa. And I doubt it would take nearly as long to find his setup as it did on the KTM.
But he’s definitely a threat to take a #1 plate with him if he goes. Personally, I hope he stays, but it sure looks/sounds like he’s moving on.
I would negotiate into my contract that they pay to insure my salary and bonuses.
I can imagine someone with Chase's talent always feels like the bike is holding them back. Not in a whiney bitchy way but like "man, I could go so much faster if the bike would just do x" . The problem is, every bike in the paddock is a series of compromises. They are all good and weak in areas, I feel if Chase is constantly changing bikes looking for "the one" we will hear regret 10 years from now when some moto journalist is interviewing him and asks "if you had to do it all over again, what would you change about your career?"
Has he been better on KTM or Honda? Is there a definitive yes or no answer to that question? He looks dialed now but he looked otherworldly on the Honda at times, too
More specifcally, one that doesn't bounce.
And he wasn't wearing one at all at the press conference (the only one), what's up with that?
He get on well with the Kawi it is a tad longer and a stable bike.
Agree.Im as fast on a 20 year old 125 as I am on a new 450. As long as the sag is set and my tires are new im happy.Much different for top pros.
I'll bite - I'm gonna go with the KTM.
It looks soooo dialed for him - He doesn't have the sudden front end tucks anymore like he had on the Honda (and his early days at KTM) and it looks like it's on another level compared to most of the other bikes out there - on rails in the whoops, carves like a knife and finds traction like the track is made of velcro. It's been really impressive to watch.
I have a similar condition - except I substitute the word "slow" for "fast" in your comment. 😄
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