Husqvarna racing restructure for 2027

5/6/2026 8:13pm
truck wrote:
If you're RJ or Malcolm, why not bail right now? Find some kind of landing spot. Do you really trust that husky is going to put...

If you're RJ or Malcolm, why not bail right now? Find some kind of landing spot. Do you really trust that husky is going to put any effort into this summer on their way out the door? 

I'd also be pretty nervous about committing to KTM long term. I'm not sure the calculation that led to the end of gas gas and husky racing is all that different than what it could soon be for KTM.

Why would any team take them up on this lease offer? Current setup is if you're good enough on satellite team the factory throws you some support. Where are these teams going to find the budget that makes this kind of setup worth it to them? The bike doesn't seem to be limiting factor for teams like club or quad lock so not sure there's any real benefit to them over what they're already doing. 

Honestly those KTM semi-factory 250Fs seem pretty affordable/reliable vs a bunch of the motor builders out there.That said, it does nothing to resolve the positional pressure of loss of a factory team.

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ohh_454
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5/6/2026 8:15pm
ML512 wrote:
Here's what I know.1. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna will cease to exist in 2027.2. The majority of staff and technical effort will become KTM’s 250 program.3. Ryder...

Here's what I know.

1. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna will cease to exist in 2027.

2. The majority of staff and technical effort will become KTM’s 250 program.

3. Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick will move to this new KTM effort for 2027.

4. RJ Hampshire, and Casey Cochran are free agents and looking for rides.

5. Teams like AEO, Tedder, and maybe more could have access more factory level materials via Husqvarna
 
6. Malcolm Stewart I’m a bit lost on.

KurtJ99 wrote:
RJ in place of Marchbanks on Kawasaki would be an upgrade, but maybe an established rather than emerging talent.Malcolm is way too good to not have...

RJ in place of Marchbanks on Kawasaki would be an upgrade, but maybe an established rather than emerging talent.

Malcolm is way too good to not have a ride, though not sure if Kawasaki is the best place for him over RJ since I expect he would command much more than RJ/Marchbanks.

Ducati looks full, Triumph as noted certainly looks like a huge upgrade to their 450 program.

I’ve heard that Marchbanks is working on or has already got a deal done with factory Kawi for next year and that they’re happy with him. 

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ohh_454
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5/6/2026 8:18pm
truck wrote:
If you're RJ or Malcolm, why not bail right now? Find some kind of landing spot. Do you really trust that husky is going to put...

If you're RJ or Malcolm, why not bail right now? Find some kind of landing spot. Do you really trust that husky is going to put any effort into this summer on their way out the door? 

I'd also be pretty nervous about committing to KTM long term. I'm not sure the calculation that led to the end of gas gas and husky racing is all that different than what it could soon be for KTM.

Why would any team take them up on this lease offer? Current setup is if you're good enough on satellite team the factory throws you some support. Where are these teams going to find the budget that makes this kind of setup worth it to them? The bike doesn't seem to be limiting factor for teams like club or quad lock so not sure there's any real benefit to them over what they're already doing. 

Honestly those KTM semi-factory 250Fs seem pretty affordable/reliable vs a bunch of the motor builders out there.That said, it does nothing to resolve the positional pressure...

Honestly those KTM semi-factory 250Fs seem pretty affordable/reliable vs a bunch of the motor builders out there.That said, it does nothing to resolve the positional pressure of loss of a factory team.

I’d like to see the AEO KTM team get a top 5 rider. 

BossWool2800
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5/6/2026 11:03pm Edited Date/Time 5/6/2026 11:06pm
ohh_454 wrote:

I’ve heard that Marchbanks is working on or has already got a deal done with factory Kawi for next year and that they’re happy with him. 

Yep Marchbanks is doing his best and making progress. The bike seems to fit him. Chase’s problems are only giving Marchbanks’ quiet, positive attitude more credibility. 

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Snapper
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5/7/2026 1:56am
truck wrote:
If you're waiting for official announcements, you're not doing journalism, you're doing PR for free. This notion that all the legit journalists will be blackballed for reporting...

If you're waiting for official announcements, you're not doing journalism, you're doing PR for free. 

This notion that all the legit journalists will be blackballed for reporting on things they're hearing has become a self fulfilling prophecy. The more reputable guys have all reported things that people didn't like and they're all still here and there's nothing to prevent them from doing it again. Some of you must not follow anything else in life if you don't think reporting rumors is fair game for journalists. 

It will never not be embarrassing for the sport for cooksey to break a story. 

-MAVERICK- wrote:
I posted something about Triumph before it was officially released and ML received a call shortly after to take it down. They were not happy. In the...

I posted something about Triumph before it was officially released and ML received a call shortly after to take it down. They were not happy. 

In the end it was Triumph that fucked up, not me. 

Do that enough time and you can bet they'll deny you from accessing their pits and riders. 

What news was it that you posted?

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TAUTOG
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5/7/2026 4:21am

So people would prefer having news come out early and more than likely being wrong rather than waiting a day and getting it right?

 

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TAUTOG
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5/7/2026 4:24am
Brad460 wrote:

Day old news...

How the heck is cooksey more in the know than you 'all?

 

They wait for official announcements to not only be more professional but also to maintain relationships with riders, teams and sanctioning bodies but Im sure some...

They wait for official announcements to not only be more professional but also to maintain relationships with riders, teams and sanctioning bodies but Im sure some others were tipped off to this as well. 

The difference being Cooksey will continue to be some dude talking to a camera stuck in his garage “leaking” information (some true, some not) while actual media outlets will interview riders, create articles on their websites and be able to report on the racing events that they obtain media passes for and get to attend. 

truck wrote:
If you're waiting for official announcements, you're not doing journalism, you're doing PR for free. This notion that all the legit journalists will be blackballed for reporting...

If you're waiting for official announcements, you're not doing journalism, you're doing PR for free. 

This notion that all the legit journalists will be blackballed for reporting on things they're hearing has become a self fulfilling prophecy. The more reputable guys have all reported things that people didn't like and they're all still here and there's nothing to prevent them from doing it again. Some of you must not follow anything else in life if you don't think reporting rumors is fair game for journalists. 

It will never not be embarrassing for the sport for cooksey to break a story. 

ML said he had not heard any rumors so why would he be digging into Husky before yesterday? 

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5/7/2026 5:00am
ML512 wrote:
Here's what I know.1. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna will cease to exist in 2027.2. The majority of staff and technical effort will become KTM’s 250 program.3. Ryder...

Here's what I know.

1. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna will cease to exist in 2027.

2. The majority of staff and technical effort will become KTM’s 250 program.

3. Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick will move to this new KTM effort for 2027.

4. RJ Hampshire, and Casey Cochran are free agents and looking for rides.

5. Teams like AEO, Tedder, and maybe more could have access more factory level materials via Husqvarna
 
6. Malcolm Stewart I’m a bit lost on.

Could Malcom end up with his own private Husqvarna supported team / ride. 

Bass Pro Shop Husqvarna 


SX only 

12
Motodragon
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5/7/2026 5:25am

Malcolm bringing Rockstar to triumph would be a good fit. They need a title sponsor. 

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-MAVERICK-
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5/7/2026 9:04am
Snapper wrote:

What news was it that you posted?

Posted an image of the new bike before it was officially out in the open. 

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Motodragon
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5/7/2026 2:47pm

Is AP going to be only 450 guy at Aldens. It seems his group keeps getting smaller and smaller. They should let him be more open to training 450 guys instead of being KTM exclusive. 

Ob917
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5/7/2026 5:26pm Edited Date/Time 5/7/2026 5:46pm

Wasn’t Rockstar getting out of motorsports a year or two ago? Stayed in SX a little longer for some reason, or because contracts hadn’t expired. Are there any Rockstar motorsports teams left?

Zesiger 112
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5/7/2026 5:29pm

With the success of star yamaha it makes sense to out source the teams to private 

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ando
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5/7/2026 8:10pm

You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.

Even with a contract for 2027 the factory has simply said "we aren't racing anymore, you don't have a ride".  However if the rider wants to exit a contract it's a far more complex and involved process.

Are rider contracts written that heavily in favour of the teams?

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Gravel
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5/8/2026 5:50am
ando wrote:
You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.Even with a...

You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.

Even with a contract for 2027 the factory has simply said "we aren't racing anymore, you don't have a ride".  However if the rider wants to exit a contract it's a far more complex and involved process.

Are rider contracts written that heavily in favour of the teams?

I’m no expert in contract law, but I work in contract management..

I’d assume that Malcom will be bought out and paid his base salary at a minimum. Probably at the same payout schedule as laid out in the agreement, although since the contract is being unilaterally terminated they could accelerate payments if both sides agree. Malcolm might/might not be released from the promotional contract requirements(dealer appearances, etc) depending on what Husqvarna sees as beneficial, but I’d bet he gets released from that, maybe with a reduction in pay?

This stuff gets complicated, the only sure winner is the attorney class. 

The thing with Prado/Kawi must have been an absolute shitshow, Prado probably had to pay his way out at some level. 

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DonM
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5/8/2026 7:02am

With the success of star yamaha it makes sense to out source the teams to private 

This is a little different, Yamaha still owns the 450 team, the 450 team rig and their 450 riders are contracted with Yamaha not Star….Husky is going to be leasing motors and suspension to teams, probably of their choosing, but the riders contracts will not be through Husky like Star Yamaha is.

BossWool2800
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5/8/2026 7:08am
ando wrote:
You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.Even with a...

You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.

Even with a contract for 2027 the factory has simply said "we aren't racing anymore, you don't have a ride".  However if the rider wants to exit a contract it's a far more complex and involved process.

Are rider contracts written that heavily in favour of the teams?

That’s a good question.

DonM
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5/8/2026 7:15am
ando wrote:
You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.Even with a...

You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.

Even with a contract for 2027 the factory has simply said "we aren't racing anymore, you don't have a ride".  However if the rider wants to exit a contract it's a far more complex and involved process.

Are rider contracts written that heavily in favour of the teams?

That’s a good question.

And probably one we will never have a clear answer to because of an NDA that will be part of any type of termination and release of the contract. 

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Motodragon
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5/8/2026 9:28am

KTM doing Malcolm dirty, 450 guys on the KTM side only have one year contract and Malcolm is on two year and you going to toss him aside.  That’s some bs, riders have to honor  there contracts but Team owners don’t. 

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MXracr157
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5/8/2026 11:32am
ando wrote:
You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.Even with a...

You know this situation with Husky and Malcolm throws an interesting light on rider contracts and the situation last year with Kawi and Prado.

Even with a contract for 2027 the factory has simply said "we aren't racing anymore, you don't have a ride".  However if the rider wants to exit a contract it's a far more complex and involved process.

Are rider contracts written that heavily in favour of the teams?

That’s a good question.

DonM wrote:
And probably one we will never have a clear answer to because of an NDA that will be part of any type of termination and release...

And probably one we will never have a clear answer to because of an NDA that will be part of any type of termination and release of the contract. 

Zach mentioned on The Pulp Moto 60 show last week that he would let Streve see or go thru one of his old contracts.  Apparently, the NDA is limited to 7 years?  That would be interesting.

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Joko
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5/8/2026 7:58pm

Is Husky going to keep developing and selling bikes? Or is it going to be all KTM at some point down the road? Same question for Gas Gas?

shane509
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5/9/2026 12:05pm

Mookie back to STAR

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ohh_454
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5/9/2026 1:06pm

Mookie SX only at HEP Suzuki? 

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Cortami79
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5/9/2026 2:15pm

Looks like AMA series will go the MXGP way. In the group, KTM is the core again and the only real factory team. Husqvarna & Gasgas is factory leased. Not sure 100% how they support Nestaan Husqvarna, but I wouldn’t be surprised that most of the funding comes from Nestaan himself.


https://gatedrop.com/inside-mxgp-industry-perspectives-hans-corvers-without-team-owners-there-is-no-world-championship/


Read this interview with MXGP Factory Yamaha owner Hans Corvers. Basically in the GP’s you have 7-8 business owners that own factory teams. Yamaha pays for 1 rider, him and his sponsors pay for the others. He also shares that he pays people to go for a hunt to sponsors like Petronas (which is now a key sponsor for Gariboldi HRC Honda). 

Now if the rumours of Tedder adding a high profile rider to their roster are true, then it shows that the factories aim for the same approach in the AMA series


 

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