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MURRIETA, Calif. – A reenergized Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has formally been launched at RD Field – the official testing grounds of KTM North America, Inc. – today, where returning riders Aaron Plessinger and Julien Beaumer were introduced alongside newcomers Eli Tomac and Jorge Prado, who will collectively form the lineup for the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) season.
Plessinger (#7), Tomac (#3) and Prado (#26) will each be equipped with the latest generation KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION – also officially presented to media this morning – in the 450 Class across AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and the SMX post-season, while Beaumer (#13) has the new KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION at his disposal in the 250 division.
Previously confirmed in May, fan favorite Plessinger, 29, is remaining with Red Bull KTM through 2026, entering a fifth-straight term together and it's one that the Ohio native is eager to make count. After achieving five podiums in 450SX this season, including a second-career Main Event victory in Foxborough, 'The Cowboy' continues to excel on SMX's biggest stage.
Joining Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2026 will be legendary 32-year-old Tomac, who arrives as one of the most decorated athletes in the sport's history with four 450MX championships and two 450SX crowns to his name. Based out of Cortez, Colorado, he ranks second on the all-time Supercross premier class career wins list (53) and fourth outdoors (32), firmly establishing himself among the greats of SMX. He stood on top of the 450SX podium in San Diego this year prior to having his indoor campaign cut short, before recovering to finish third overall in both 450MX and 450SMX to complete the 2025 season. Notably, Tomac was also a graduate of the KTM Junior Supercross program at Phoenix in 2001.
Making a welcome homecoming to KTM in 2026 is four-time FIM Motocross World Champion Prado, the internationally credentialed Spaniard that previously made his mark with the group by winning a pair of championships in both MXGP (2023-2024) and MX2 (2018-2019). After first debuting in Supercross during 2024 with four 450SX appearances and claiming a career-high of P7, the 24-year-old enters the new year motivated to further define his career in the U.S. with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Headlining the team's 250 Class program as the sole representative next season is Beaumer, the teenager preparing for his third year with Red Bull KTM. At 19, Arizona prospect 'JuJu' claimed the AMA 250SX Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and recorded a breakout first Supercross victory in San Diego on his way to second in the 250SX West standings this year but was injured during the SMX post-season. He remains fully focused on his ongoing recovery and will return to competition upon regaining 100 percent fitness.
Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "It's that time of year again when we start preparing for the upcoming season with new riders and bikes. We are really excited to continue working with Aaron and Julien for another season, while we also welcome both Eli and Jorge into the team for 2026. This year started strongly for Aaron, and after spending an extended period on the sidelines, he is focused on getting back to where he was. We are all looking forward to having 'The Cowboy' back at the races with the team – he is chomping at the bit to get going. In addition, it is always interesting to bring in a rider such as Eli, who we have raced against over the last decade and we've always looked for ways to beat him, but now we are focusing on how we can support him to win. I am confident that our team and all of the riders will benefit from his experience and maturity. Jorge, on the other hand, had been in the KTM family for a long time with a lot of success in Europe prior to this past season. He trained alongside our team at the beginning of 2024, so for us it is an opportunity to have him back where he feels most at home, and to help him achieve his goals in the United States. 'JuJu' is doing all that he can in his recovery, so even though there is still a long way to go and we don't expect him back until Pro Motocross, we know that he'll be competitive once he's in a position to do so, and we are supporting him every step of the way. Collectively, the team dynamic is really strong leading into the new year, everybody is quite familiar even if 50 percent of the rider lineup is new for next season. Right now, it's time to keep our heads down and to keep progressing leading into Anaheim 1, and we will be ready to go racing together come January."
Next year’s SMX World Championship is scheduled to commence on January 10, 2026, at Anaheim 1’s Supercross season-opener, with the series set to span 17 rounds. Featuring 11 rounds, Pro Motocross takes off with the Fox Raceway National in Pala, California, on May 30, while the three-race SMX Playoffs and Final will take centerstage throughout September.
LOOKS COMFORTABLE
Gotta say though, seeing Tomac in Red Bull attire is fucking my brain up, lol
Looking forward to seeing Tomac's first race on the pumpkin in a week or so in Vancouver. Should be a good first hit out.
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Prados number change, trying to make us forget last year?
Seeing Tomac on KTM almost looks photoshopped. The gear setup is fantastic though
He earned it. He doesn't have a career number.
And he has a cable clutch
Pretty crazy looking header pipe on those 450s
I really feel for JuJu. The dude hasn’t had good luck recently. I expected to see him battling Deegan all of last year and in Pro Motocross.
Seeing the 13 on a KTM is also cool to see.
Tomacs return to the steel frame! Just like the super mini days!! Epic!!!
Any word on AP's health? Did he get figured out what was going on and be able to train again?
I told him I wasn't impressed and wanted it back, so now he's #26...
Which forks are on Eli's bike?
He’s got what he was given through the number system. He hasn’t earned a permanent number yet.
https://youtu.be/mY90FNYU06M?si=V6IivGIwweduKx5N
Obviously there’s reasonable doubt about whether they’ll beat the Lawrences but that is a very solid 450 team.
Conversely I’d have to think, without checking, that must be their weakest 250 team in quite a while.
Pit Row
https://youtu.be/OKQMtc3Xbsc?si=udsH1UNN5ZPBV9vs
https://youtu.be/94wF3bzKrJQ?si=3rawZWg2rtQ3wQUJ
Looks like new generation factory forks? Not the 6500 or Xact Pro top lid/adjuster anymore?
Prado seems better from the clips I've seen. Eli look great and smooth, and its awesome to see AP out there again.
Man, seeing Tomac on the KTM just doesn’t look right, gonna take a while to get used to it. Wishing all the best for him tho!
https://youtu.be/JBfEA9_INLA?si=CbGq_7aH7fOcg9wI
https://youtu.be/80tWNfOOWww?si=nNT1RT-IbQlJ_GEz
https://youtu.be/N09c2mNXmSI?si=7-1yEAQ1MPxx9jOd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBja1HjF5nw&pp=ygUOMjAyNiBLVE0gaW50cm8%3D
It's like it's not real life, but it is!
https://youtu.be/giebv__xPD0?si=-k0LsqLwUejNJ3bH
Any Prado interviews coming up?
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