Austin Forkner Retires

Shout out to @pops you must be incredibly proud of your boy. 

It reminds me of Paul Orndorff and Kurt Angle.  Both suffered neck injuries that resulted in nerve damage which led to atrophy in their arms.  Kurt has it in both arms.

Damn. One thing for certain: he was a fast mfer.

Really gave his body to the sport that man. Happy he can walk away, and hope he can find a new direction in life. Definitely needs a low stress, happy environment for a few years after all this trauma. Love to hear him talk about his boy. Really hope they can figure out the arm, crazy. 

Couldn’t stand the guy when he came in. Been rooting for him since his last years at PC. What a journey. 

Kinda sad! What a great career he's had, not achieved what we all hoped and knew he could deliver, but still elite and one of the best to do it, regardless. He's a proper man and done what is right for him and his family. 

Good luck to Austin in his future endeavours. Thanks for allowing us along for the ride!

Holy his poor left arm is absolutely cooked!!! 

Hell of a career, hopefully he can go back to having fun on a bike on weekends in the hills! 

Nothing but respect to Austin. Incredible speed/talent and tough as hell.

Go live the dream and raise that family as a healthy dad. 

Thank you for all the racing Austin! I am a big fan and I also enjoyed your Youtube videos! Now go live a good life! (come back as a commentator )

Never got that championship as a racer but sounds like he is winning big at life.  Very mature young man with his priorities in order.

all things work together for the good, for those who love God and for them that are called for His purposes,..his relationship with his wife and kids are 1000x more important than winning motos. we are with you in spirit, the next chapter will be even better.

when Austin hit the scenes, I couldn't stand the kid. Reminded me a lot of Deegan. Totally full of himself, pulled silly antics, etc. As his career went on, he clearly was humbled by his injuries, apparently found a strong foundation of faith, and has focused heavily on his family/kids. Kudos, man. Pops, I know you don't post much anymore, but I'm sure you're skimming this thread: my own son has followed Austin's life path, and I'm currently in the "dumbass phase" of his life. I hope that my own son matures as yours has done, and would be proud for him to be as mature as Austin. Best to your entire family. 

Austin, my saying is  (not moto related) “I am glad I did it,  and I’m glad I dont have to do it anymore”
 

5.11 Triumph Factory Racing’s Austin Forkner has announced his retirement from professional AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross competition.

After making his professional debut in 2016, Forkner quickly established himself as one of the sport's most naturally gifted riders. The Missouri native excelled in AMA Supercross, claiming 13 250SX Main Event victories together with a further seven podium appearances. In the 250 Class of Pro Motocross, the 27-year-old secured one overall win at Ironman Raceway, in addition to six more top-three results over his 10-year career.

Forkner joined Triumph Factory Racing for the 2025 season to race the TF 250-X. In 250SX, he finished seventh on two occasions and secured his best Pro Motocross result of fifth later that year at the Washougal National. For 2026, Forkner made history as the first rider to compete aboard the TF 450-X in the premier 450SX division of AMA Supercross.

In addition, some of Austin’s most commendable achievements are not just those found in the race results. A stoic approach in his comebacks from injury, Austin also made a return to the highest level of competition following a serious crash and a subsequent complex brain surgery for an unrelated issue found during medical investigations. It is this mentality and tenacity combined with his friendly, approachable character that has made Austin a fan-favourite that will be missed in the race paddocks, as he announces that he will step away from professional competition.

Everyone at Triumph would like to thank Austin for everything during his time with the 5.11 Triumph Factory Racing team and wish him well for the next chapter of his life.

Austin Forkner:

"I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from racing. I feel like the physical and mental toll this sport takes on you is a lot, and I just don't have a lot left to give anymore. I planned on making it to the end of the year, but after my crash in Colorado, my mind is no longer in it, and I feel like finishing the year isn’t smart. My health and family are being put first now so although it’s a tough decision, it’s one I can be happy with. I'd like to thank the whole Triumph team for all the hard work over the past couple of years. It's been fun, and we achieved some good results together. I’d also like to thank the fans who have stuck behind me through the years. I’m thankful for it all and for those I’ve met and connected with along the way. Thank you."

Jeremy Coker – General Manager, Triumph Racing America:

“It has been an extreme honour to work with Austin. I know that this can be an extremely difficult decision to make and I have the utmost respect for him. Austin has had a career to be very proud of as one of the most winningest 250 racers and he should hold his head high. I, and the entire 5.11 Triumph Factory Racing team wish Austin and his family the best in his next life adventures.”

Ian Kimber, Head of Global Racing Programmes, Triumph Motorcycles:

“One of the most difficult decisions for any racer is knowing when the right time is to close off their career, and for Austin this has definitely not been an easy decision to come to these past few weeks. We’ve seen how incredibly talented he is on a motorcycle and there is no doubt that he is still fast enough to be competitive; his recent results just don’t reflect how good he is. However, the latest injury has been the final bump in the road for Austin, and we know he’s been finding it tough to want to make another return from injury. It’s been completely Austin’s decision, and we have a huge amount of respect and support for him calling time on what has been an impressive career. We’ve seen his talent on the bike, but also his popularity with the fans, not least because of his mentality when it came to his return to racing after the brain surgery a few years ago. Austin, we’ve really enjoyed working with you and we wish you and your family the very best for the future – thank you.”

I always thought that Forkner came across well when interviewed.  Great career and one of the fastest when he was winning the 250F supercross races.  Good for him if that's what he wants.

Austin absolutely deserves his flowers and to have the opportunity walk away from such a gnarly sport. 

Reminds me of a Helper or Reynard, elite speed at times but robbed of reaching full potential due to injuries. 

Enjoy retirement Austin, you are a bad dude. 

Enjoy retirement. You were always amazing to watch.

wish all the best to him. 

Man was he something to watch on a bike. I remember first time watching him at STL SX on his PC bike battling Osborne. He was so fast and so relentless on that thing! 

I was at the Dallas race and saw the crash. I turned to my wife and daughter and said "I think Austin just died". It was the most horrific crash I've seen in person, I was literally queasy and sick to my stomach. Injuries definitely robbed him of a lot of wins and championships but you can never say that he didn't have heart and determination. Cheers to his next chapter and being a father. 

Regarding the championship battle with Sexton in 2019. Had he not torn his ACL in Seattle practice (I think) he probably would have won that in 2019. I remember that year he had a strategy of, "Go as fast as I can until I crash in order to find the limit." He was always going down in practice. I never really understood that strategy. 

Also, his wreck with Jett at Arlington in 2022 was pretty gnarly. Then in 24 was just heartbreaking to watch. He was riding so well up until that crash. I'm blown away he was racing with his arm in that condition. You can visibly see how the muscle is gone out of the forearm and thumb area. 

I don't really follow the Loretta's stuff too closely and I don't know if he won anything there. The first I ever heard of him was when he came out of nowhere to win the Monster Energy Cup on a Supermini in 2012. He did it again in 2013 and then took the Amateur All-Star class win in 2015. I kept thinking to myself, "Dang, this kid is going to be something!" And he was. Too bad the injury bug got him so many times, or I truly believe he'd be a champion. 

Strong career, kid. Now go out and do something even better!

Wish you all the best, Austin. 

Very proud of all your accomplishments!

Good for Austin. Sucks for it to end this way, but glad he’s getting out before he gives more than he already has.

Go enjoy that beautiful family buddy. 

Thank you sir!

I've already been a little emotional over Forks retiring. In the back of my head I knew something was up this time unlike past injuries and time off the bike. I'm bummed because I always believed he was going to win a SX championship for many years. I was gutted for him on injuries so many seasons. 

But I'm happy to see him know its time when his arm is in the shape it is. These pics got to me a bit. Thanks Austin for giving your all, all the time. 

First moto win, Washougal 2016 (I've always really loved this capture 😊 )

With Austin retiring, I finally pulled the trigger on this Austin Forkner Pc #214 FOX 2 piece banner. Excited to put it up in my garage. The guys  legend and I always want to remember his time in the sport. 

Man, what a wonderful explanation from Austin on why he decided to hang it up. So thankful that God guided him to knowing what truly matters in life, I pray for him and his family moving forward and excited to see what’s next for them. A life rooted in Faith and Family is a life well lived! 

Sad to see him retire. Great rider, fast as F, and what a warrior. Congratulations to him. He's a champion in life.