Red Bull KTM Introduces 2026 Team for Monster Energy SuperMotocross Championship
In a key unveiling for the upcoming 2026 Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), the Red Bull KTM team presented its lineup, which includes returning riders Julien Beaumer (250SMX) and Aaron Plessinger (450SMX), alongside new signings Eli Tomac and Jorge Prado. The announcement, reported by Simon Cudby, highlights a strategic move by KTM to strengthen its competitive edge.
Prado, a two-time FIM MX2 and MXGP champion, now re-joins the KTM roster after a tumultuous year with Monster Energy Kawasaki. Despite high expectations for his debut season in the Pro Motocross series, an early-season crash exacerbated a prior shoulder injury, forcing him to miss crucial races and ultimately lead to his release from Kawasaki in October.
Reflecting on his transition back to KTM, Prado stated, “The difference between the bike that I raced back in ‘24 [MXGP] compared to the bike we are racing right now here, it’s pretty much nothing.” He confirmed that the 2026 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition mirrors the GasGas MC 450F he rode to the 2024 MXGP title, stating: “I actually rode with this bike outdoors one day and it felt exactly like my bike.”
With KTM’s formidable racing pedigree and Prado’s proven track record, the upcoming season holds significant promise. The team aims to leverage its familiar equipment and the rider’s motivation to contend for top honors in the SMX series.
