First Look: Red Bull KTM break cover for 2026
By Team TMX on 30th Jan 26
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing have lifted the covers on their 2026 FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship assault, revealing fresh colours, a refined structure and a four-rider line-up aimed squarely at more world title success.
The Austrian manufacturer will field two KTM 450 SX-Fs in MXGP and two KTM 250 SX-Fs in MX2, with a streamlined factory roster spread across the sport’s two premier classes. The 2026 world championship gets underway on March 7–8 in Bariloche, Argentina and will span 20 rounds across 18 countries, concluding on September 19–20 in Australia.
In MXGP, 2025 runner-up Lucas Coenen steps into his second season in the premier class, joined by former MX2 world champion Andrea Adamo, who makes the step up to the 450 as a rookie. Over in MX2, defending world champion Simon Laengenfelder returns to defend his crown alongside fellow Belgian Sacha Coenen.
The factory structure sees Laengenfelder and Adamo working under the guidance of former multi-time world champion Joel Smets, while Lucas and Sacha Coenen continue under the stewardship of Davide De Carli and his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing squad.
With youth, experience and proven championship pedigree across both classes, KTM head into 2026 with clear intent — to defend, reclaim and add to their already formidable MXGP trophy cabinet.
Lucas Coenen, MXGP, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:
“Training has been going well – I guess everybody says the same! But testing days have gone smoothly and we’re looking quite on-point, so now we’re counting the days towards the first races and the opening Grand Prix. My goals are always the same: being the best version of myself and trying to win.”
Andrea Adamo, MXGP, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:
“Life with the 450 is going good. Every time I enter the track I discover something new and that makes it exciting and interesting. I had spent many years on the 250 and it was already very familiar, and now there are many new feelings. Overall, preparation is going well. I’m healthy and fit and the winter has gone positively, even if we still have some time before the first GP. I think the bike is amazing and it makes me want to get to Argentina quickly! 2026 will be a different type of racing with a different kind of opponent. Guys with so much experience, so I have to learn from them. It will be a challenge and I cannot really speak about expectations but I want to try and stay as close to the top five as possible and then we’ll see…because there are many good guys on the line. We have to learn as much as we can. I’m happy to join the ‘big class’!”
Simon Laengenfelder, MX2, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:
“For 2026 there has been quite a few changes for me: the physical trainer, the mechanics and the people around me, even the gear now with Alpinestars! Luckily the bike has not changed so much and I’m super-excited. I’m really happy right now and having one championship under my belt has even increased my motivation because I want to show everybody that I can do it a second time. I’ve been training hard and I feel strong and ready. The pre-season races will show if we need to be work in any other area but in a month’s time I’ll be 100% to start the fight.”
Sacha Coenen, MX2, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:
“I think we are ready. We’ve done a good job so far this off-season with the bike and the preparation. We still have some time…but we feel strong and I believe we can expect some good things.”
Joel Smets, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager:
“We’ve had a good winter with some changes in the team by switching from three to two riders which, being honest, makes it a bit easier to work: more efficient and more individual to each rider. The improvements to the bike – once again – have turned out well so a big shout out to the factory. The riders are in good shape for the pre-season races coming up. Goals for the year are to defend the championship and win back-to-back titles. Luckily in my own career I’ve had experience with that! So there are some tips and tricks I can give to Simon, and with Andrea I’m quite satisfied with how he has adapted to the 450 so far and he understood he needed to change his style a bit. The coming season will be exciting.”
Davide De Carli, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing De Carli Team Manager:
“It’s been a fun winter. The brothers did a bit of riding in the U.S. and then came back to Rome for a few good weeks of testing. We’ve done some sand training and right now we’re in Sardinia for more work. I think both brothers have made a step; a year older, another year more mature. With Sacha we want a bit more consistency for the season and we’re building to that. He’s faster again but also working more on technique. It will be Lucas’ second year in the MXGP class and he’ll benefit from that experience of 2025. He had great speed last season and learned from both the ups-and-downs. We’d love to put everything together and to bring home two titles!”
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director:
“2026 has started in a fast and super-positive way for us in Dakar and SuperMotocross and we know the MXGP boys will also continue that because the level of the whole team is so high. The results proved this in 2025 and have done so every season. Again, we have a defending world champion thanks to Simon and there is a mix of rookie education with Andrea and development of more world class race winners in Lucas and Sacha. Our KTM SX-Fs will again be the references for starts and speed, so everything is in place. Good luck to the boys and I hope they stay healthy and at the front!”
