KTM Provides Insight on Sexton’s Moto 2 Incident at Ironman
MURRIETA, Calif. — Following a strong performance that culminated in a Moto 1 victory at Saturday’s Ironman MX National, reigning 450MX Champion Chase Sexton faced an unfortunate setback during Moto 2, leading to a crash and subsequent DNF. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has addressed the incident in a detailed statement released Tuesday.
Team Manager Ian Harrison provided clarity on the circumstances surrounding the crash after thorough investigation and review of the bike’s data.
“After inspecting the bike and analyzing data from the #1 KTM 450 SX-F, we have a clearer understanding of the incident,” Harrison stated. “We want to emphasize that there was no rider or mechanic error involved.”
Initially suspected to be related to the front brake, further analysis revealed that debris had infiltrated the rear brake system, preventing Sexton from utilizing it effectively. Consequently, he was forced to rely solely on the front brake, which led him to exit a jump at an unusually high speed—significantly greater than in previous laps.
The crash resulted from the bike landing heavily on the right side, causing mud to pack into the front brake lever and lead to a malfunction. As a result, Sexton was unable to continue.
Harrison noted, “We will seek solutions to avoid such incidents in the future. Motocross is inherently demanding on equipment, and the pace at which our riders compete amplifies these challenges. This was disappointing for Chase, our team, and the fans.”
The team has committed to addressing the technical issues revealed by this incident, as they prepare for the next round of competition.
