KTM Factory - Bennick/DiFrancesco/Beaumer/Cohen

AngryBear
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Edited Date/Time 10/14/2026 8:15am

PR from KTM, i know it's been mentioned but first official announce i've seen. Glad to see some of the other Austrian team riders finding their way to a larger KTM squad...

May be an image of text

 

Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick are locked in at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing! 🤝

The pair join an expanded four-rider 250 program alongside Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen in the SMX World Championship.
 

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-MAVERICK-
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10/14/2026 8:54am
MURRIETA, Calif. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has signed Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick ahead of the 2027 SMX World Championship season, joining an expanded four-rider 250 program alongside Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen.
The new-look roster will compete aboard KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION machinery across the AMA Supercross Championship, Pro Motocross Championship, and SMX Finals post-season, further strengthening KTM's READY TO RACE commitment to the next generation of 250 class talent.
 
DiFrancesco, 21, joins Red Bull KTM Factory Racing following a breakout 2026 season, finishing runner-up in the 250SMX World Championship, fifth in 250MX, and fourth in the 250SX Western Division standings. The Californian earned his first-career 250SX podium at Anaheim 1 and carried that momentum into the outdoors and playoffs with a collection of podium results, firmly establishing himself as a title challenger into the future.
 
Ryder DiFrancesco: "I'm super-excited to be joining Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. It's been one of the top-tier teams in the paddock since I can remember, so it's going to be a cool feeling being on the orange bike in 2027 – it only grows the confidence in myself and the team. The next thing to do now is to go out there and win. I'm excited, and the season can't come soon enough."
 
Bennick, 20, is another exciting addition to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing effort after a strong 2026 campaign that saw him claim third in the 250SX East standings and secure his first 250SMX podium at SMX Playoff 1 in Columbus. The North Carolina native has continued to progress through the professional ranks since his highly-successful amateur career as part of the KTM Orange Brigade and will enter 2027 targeting title success.
 
Daxton Bennick: "I'm so excited to be on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team next year. It's always been a dream of mine, so it's a super-cool and surreal moment for me. There are a lot of familiar faces on the team and also some new ones, and I think we're going to make a really good combination and go after the championships – I'm ready to get to work."
 
The arrival of DiFrancesco and Bennick coincides with a significant expansion of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's 250 program, which will also feature Beaumer and incoming Belgian standout Coenen. Beaumer, 20, will return for his fourth season with the team after recently extending his contract through 2027 and beyond, while 19-year-old Coenen arrives from the MX2 World Championship following a Grand Prix campaign that saw him finish third in the 2026 standings.
 
Nathan Ramsey, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 Team Manager: "What an incredible opportunity to be a part of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2027 and beyond. I will be managing the 250 race team, alongside of Ian and his crew on the 450 side. I believe this expansion and structure for the complete Red Bull KTM program is very strong and I look forward to having an unbelievable season. I couldn’t be happier to add Dax and Ryder to the team! They both had very strong seasons in 2026 and should absolutely be in the championship conversation in 2027. Dax and Ryder alongside Juju and Sacha make up a very young and extremely strong Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 effort for 2027! I am honored to be a part of this group moving forward and can’t wait to see what the future holds."

Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 Team Manager: "We are incredibly excited to introduce our strengthened Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250 program, which will debut in 2027 with a four-rider lineup equipped with KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION machinery. KTM has enjoyed significant success in the category for many years, and this next step further underlines the brand’s READY TO RACE commitment into the future."
 
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s expanded 250 program will make its competitive debut at the opening round of the 2027 AMA Supercross Championship in Anaheim, California, on January 9, marking an exciting renewed chapter for the Austrian manufacturer's presence in U.S. competition alongside its factory 450 team of reigning SMX World Champion Jorge Prado and new recruit Lucas Coenen.
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Chris_Buehler
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10/14/2026 9:11am

I'm so curious what the Coenen's plans are for sx. Lucas shouldn't even race sx this year especially nursing nerve damage. And even if Sasha does East, its gonna be scary. They both need time to learn sx. Props to KTM for fielding such a big 250 team

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johnk408
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10/14/2026 9:34am

They were all under contract still, thought that was why they are doing 3 then coenen’s had option for the fourth.

ohh_454
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10/14/2026 9:40am

Pretty cool full circle moment for Ramsey to be managing the 250 team seeing as he was the first rider in the US to get KTMs new 250f its first SX win in ‘05. 

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The Shop

10/14/2026 10:50am
ohh_454 wrote:
Pretty cool full circle moment for Ramsey to be managing the 250 team seeing as he was the first rider in the US to get KTMs...

Pretty cool full circle moment for Ramsey to be managing the 250 team seeing as he was the first rider in the US to get KTMs new 250f its first SX win in ‘05. 

Great observation. Congrats to Ramsey. 

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10/14/2026 10:54am
I'm so curious what the Coenen's plans are for sx. Lucas shouldn't even race sx this year especially nursing nerve damage. And even if Sasha does...

I'm so curious what the Coenen's plans are for sx. Lucas shouldn't even race sx this year especially nursing nerve damage. And even if Sasha does East, its gonna be scary. They both need time to learn sx. Props to KTM for fielding such a big 250 team

I've said this elsewhere that Lucas needs to sit out (most of) SX this next year. Firmly believe this would be best for him and KTM in the long-term. Prado showed you could come over and go straight into 450SX, but he spent months at the KTM track prior to A1. Either use the next 2 months to acclimate to SX, or use it to let his leg heal, but can't do both. 

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10/14/2026 11:06am

Both Coenan bros need to sit out SX 100%. 

They need to log their SX practice laps, focus on the outdoors then come in 2028 ready to battle. 

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ohh_454
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10/14/2026 11:11am
I'm so curious what the Coenen's plans are for sx. Lucas shouldn't even race sx this year especially nursing nerve damage. And even if Sasha does...

I'm so curious what the Coenen's plans are for sx. Lucas shouldn't even race sx this year especially nursing nerve damage. And even if Sasha does East, its gonna be scary. They both need time to learn sx. Props to KTM for fielding such a big 250 team

TriRacer27 wrote:
I've said this elsewhere that Lucas needs to sit out (most of) SX this next year. Firmly believe this would be best for him and KTM...

I've said this elsewhere that Lucas needs to sit out (most of) SX this next year. Firmly believe this would be best for him and KTM in the long-term. Prado showed you could come over and go straight into 450SX, but he spent months at the KTM track prior to A1. Either use the next 2 months to acclimate to SX, or use it to let his leg heal, but can't do both. 

Yup, I went by the ktm track a few times last off season and Jorge was just doing lap after lap, moto after moto, and not messing around. Same with RyderD, I wouldn’t see those 2 pull in, they were just motoring the whole time. 

IMG 6317 3IMG 6318 2.jpeg?VersionId=3fagUjw1vJAs8GucJ0L

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disbanded
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10/14/2026 11:24am

I wonder if they're excited

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Snapper
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10/14/2026 11:28am
ohh_454 wrote:
Pretty cool full circle moment for Ramsey to be managing the 250 team seeing as he was the first rider in the US to get KTMs...

Pretty cool full circle moment for Ramsey to be managing the 250 team seeing as he was the first rider in the US to get KTMs new 250f its first SX win in ‘05. 

Shame he didn't mention that on his quote. Good spot.

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TAUTOG
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10/14/2026 11:29am
disbanded wrote:

I wonder if they're excited

Incredibly-super-excited

Chris_Buehler
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10/14/2026 3:11pm
johnk408 wrote:

They were all under contract still, thought that was why they are doing 3 then coenen’s had option for the fourth.

Gotcha 

1 day ago

How many rounds of SX does Sasha ride next season?  Could be zero, could be the whole season.  That is possibly the greatest unknown going into next season.  I can't wait to see some test track footage.  No doubt he'll be sending it.

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1 day ago
How many rounds of SX does Sasha ride next season?  Could be zero, could be the whole season.  That is possibly the greatest unknown going into...

How many rounds of SX does Sasha ride next season?  Could be zero, could be the whole season.  That is possibly the greatest unknown going into next season.  I can't wait to see some test track footage.  No doubt he'll be sending it.

At least if he rides East he has an extra month, and he's not as banged up right now as Lucas. He could start in November and still have a solid 3 months before the first round, whereas Lucas has 10 weeks. 

skypig
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1 day ago

I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a lot in view.)

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NSP139
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1 day ago
skypig wrote:
I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a...

I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a lot in view.)

No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol

 

I'm not complaining it's cool to be able to go watch

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1 day ago
skypig wrote:
I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a...

I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a lot in view.)

NSP139 wrote:
No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol I'm not complaining it's...

No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol

 

I'm not complaining it's cool to be able to go watch

My Nextdoor Neighbour is the Mayor and was on planning commission with Lapaglia JR - he's a huge moto fan. 
Cost KTM a lot of money but the city was all for it. 

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revkev151
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1 day ago
skypig wrote:
I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a...

I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a lot in view.)

NSP139 wrote:
No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol I'm not complaining it's...

No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol

 

I'm not complaining it's cool to be able to go watch

Is that the track right off the 15 by the Honda track or is it actually in Murrieta?

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NSP139
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1 day ago
skypig wrote:
I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a...

I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a lot in view.)

NSP139 wrote:
No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol I'm not complaining it's...

No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol

 

I'm not complaining it's cool to be able to go watch

revkev151 wrote:

Is that the track right off the 15 by the Honda track or is it actually in Murrieta?

It's actually in Murrieta by the old headquarters by the green waste not too far from their new headquarters

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NorCal1975
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1 day ago

Anyone heard when the Coenens are actually moving to the US?  Seems like they would want to get on the supercross tracks ASAP (at least Sacha, I understand Lucas is gonna probably be out for a while)

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avidchimp
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14 hours ago
skypig wrote:
I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a...

I’m surprised there are so many houses that seem close in the pics of the KTM practice track. (Lens might make them look closer, but a lot in view.)

NSP139 wrote:
No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol I'm not complaining it's...

No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol

 

I'm not complaining it's cool to be able to go watch

revkev151 wrote:

Is that the track right off the 15 by the Honda track or is it actually in Murrieta?

Look up French Valley Airport on the google maps and you'll find it pretty quickly. Tracks are pretty much right at the south end of the runway.

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revkev151
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14 hours ago
NSP139 wrote:
No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol I'm not complaining it's...

No they're actually pretty close not sure how they got that approved in Murieta other than Deep Pockets to the right person lol

 

I'm not complaining it's cool to be able to go watch

revkev151 wrote:

Is that the track right off the 15 by the Honda track or is it actually in Murrieta?

avidchimp wrote:
Look up French Valley Airport on the google maps and you'll find it pretty quickly. Tracks are pretty much right at the south end of the...

Look up French Valley Airport on the google maps and you'll find it pretty quickly. Tracks are pretty much right at the south end of the runway.

Yep I found it! 

Flatliner
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13 hours ago
Both Coenan bros need to sit out SX 100%. They need to log their SX practice laps, focus on the outdoors then come in 2028 ready to...

Both Coenan bros need to sit out SX 100%. 

They need to log their SX practice laps, focus on the outdoors then come in 2028 ready to battle. 

Except teams don't do this.  Langston didn't get to sit out 01 to learn, and the whoops he had to ride on that no link shock were a third bigger than anything built now.

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kxking
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12 hours ago

Will they both run 250SX as neither have won the 450MX title?

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Flatliner
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12 hours ago
kxking wrote:

Will they both run 250SX as neither have won the 450MX title?

Didn't sound like that was the plan, but not sure If anything has been officially released.

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