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Fantasy
I did not want to detract from the well wishes to Eli by posting this in the retirement thread.
So does KTM just not fill that 3rd spot and have the 2 Euros, Prado and Coenen be their 450 guys? What is the optics here? Do they need an American on a 450 or do we all really not care? Honda has 2 Aussies. I personally am cool with just Jorge and Lucas racing KTM450 but I also like to see as many factory rides/jobs we can get.
Or maybe.... I am just starting this thread to advocate that Barcia gets that 3rd spot. 🤠
Jeremy Hand.
In 24-25 they just had Chase and AP? They had 3 450 riders and 1 250 this year. I think they had been doing 2 and 2. They have now basically cut the Husky 450 team and rolled that 250 program under the orange banner...maybe they are paying some of Webb's salary.
They did just go bankrupt this year so cutting down the team by a couple of riders isn't as bad as it could have been.
From what I heard over the weekend, it's unlikely they'll fill the spot. I think they'll just focus on Jorge Prado and Lucas Coenen for 450s. Then the new integrated 250 KTM squad of Beaumer, Sacha Coenen, Daxton Bennick, and Ryder DiFrancesco.
They could also push more support and resources into Webb on the Husky/Tedder program.
Is Lucas for sure racing the 450 in SX?
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Coenens, Prado, and Beaumer seems like a solid team. They're fielding four riders that deserve the spots. The nationality doesn't mean jack to me. I would have to imagine Sasha will be on a 450 in 28 assuming he stays healthy.
According to Ian, even though he doesn't want him to, yes. https://www.vitalmx.com/videos/features/ian-harrison-prado-tomac-interview
IMO American love Aussies, not as much with European riders.
I think they will get a third guy eventually.
Put Barcia on that 350 once and for all FFS!!!
i don't think KTM wants an 8th place guy....besides they had him last year with Gas Gas. They may leave it open to see if Eli changes his mind.....
Wasn't it Shorty who said the 350 is great in everything except trying to pass. You just don't have the acceleration.
But I have a shit memory!
TM
Is Caroili the only professional to really give the 350 a solid shot in the big boy clsss? Google says he raced it 6 seasons. More than I remember
Has Hampshire signed a contract for ‘27? If not, I think they’d be smart to sign him up.
Mike Alessi won a moto on one 🤷♂️
Ducati
Thanks! I don’t click on the Silly Season threads that often so wasn’t sure if it was ‘official’ or not. I think the transition to a KTM would have been pretty natural for him, but the Ducati seems to have become fairly competitive by the end of this season.
Ducati.
I don’t think it’s necessary for a US-based racing team to have US-native talent in order to meet their mission of proving to US customers that their bikes are the ones to buy. But I could be wrong.
Yea, but he was on a first gen bike, which probably has less go than a stock 2026.
They sell them all to vets as is, not much need to actually market the bike at this point, professionally.
Pit Row
But you have to believe the 450 also has been as developed as the 350, which would ring true again.
I agree, but the Italians are throwing a fit about Ducati having two Spanish riders and no Italian riders for 2027 in MotoGP.
100%. I doubt we'll ever see it raced here again.
Maybe AP hasn't packed his bags yet 🤠
The Coenen's are awesome - humble, respectful, and blazing fast. Don't lump me into your ignorant generalization.
And that's coming from an Eli fan...
Has Joey Savatgy resigned with quadlock? I think he would be a awesome pick if he’s not resigned.
Excellent point.
Man, Savatgey has been out of sight out of mind.
I just wonder how he is healing up. If KTM did decide to do a 3rd 450 Joey would top the list
Didn’t Webb leave on a bad note, cutting his season short and getting out of his contract? Would factory KTM ignore that and give him more help?
He left on a bad note because KTM didn't make the changes he wanted...but then they did do those changes for Sexton???
It's kind of an unspoken, "Yea, we should have tried what you wanted" thing.
Webb sees it, has respect for KTM and let's water flow under the bridge so as to maintain a potential future relationship...which he now has.
It'd be nice to see a young, newish US 450 rider given a one-year contract on the 3rd KTM.
Im so looking forward to Sasha Coenen in supercross.
Not scared
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