Argentina MXGP

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Jeffrey Herlings to miss MXGP of Argentina

After months of uncertainty, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has confirmed that Jeffrey Herlings - who is working towards a competitive return and through the final stages of rehabilitation after surgery to repair a torn right ACL – will miss the start of the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship.

The five-time world champion and currently the most successful Grand Prix winner in history is getting closer to his goal of being able to ride, test and get back into MXGP shape for 2025. The 30-year-old underwent an operation to fix the right knee injury, which he sustained in the sand of Valkenswaard in October 2024 and after a strong campaign in which he completed the 20-round season with third in the standings and with 4 GP wins and 15 podium finishes.

Since the medical procedure the Dutchman (Red Bull KTM’s longest serving racer after joining the factory MXGP team in 2010) has been following the rehab steps and is now just a few weeks away from being able to ride his 2025 KTM 450 SX-F.

Herlings will not be able to join the rest of his team for the season-opening Grand Prix of Argentina on March 1/2 but will then assess his pace and progress until he is ready to enter the MXGP start gate once more for his eighth attempt at the class and his 16th year as a world championship athlete.

“We’re looking good. I can do everything aside from ride the bike. I can cycle, swim, cross train – and it should only be a few weeks until we are back to the normal plan,” said Jeffrey. “2024 wasn’t a great season but it was decent; we’d made a lot of races, came close to the MXGP championship, won a few GPs and had something like 15 podiums at the end. I wanted to be strong coming into this year so having this setback was not good but what I can hope for now is a successful second part of the championship. It was a weird injury because there was not much pain after surgery but it takes time to recover. I want to ride as soon as possible and join the rest of my Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team… but we just need to wait a little longer. I really want to race again.”

Romain Febvre Dominates In Lierop, Ready to Chase MXGP Glory

Romain Febvre delivered a statement performance ahead of the 2025 MXGP season opener, going 1-1 at Lierop in the Netherlands in a commanding final pre-season showing.

The Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP rider looked in top form, proving he’s ready to battle for the title as the championship kicks off this weekend in Argentina.

Originally set to race in Sommières, Febvre and his team had to make a last-minute change when the French event was canceled due to bad weather. Undeterred, the KRT squad made the overnight journey to Lierop, where Febvre lined up alongside his new teammate, Pauls Jonass, for one final tune-up before the season. While not a full MXGP field, the competition was still intense, with local specialists and strong international riders providing a solid challenge.

Febvre wasted no time showcasing his speed. In the first moto, he ran second behind Jonass before the Latvian crashed in the wave section. With no way to avoid Jonass’ bike, Febvre also went down but managed to remount still in the lead. From there, he charged ahead, pulling away at two seconds per lap to take the win by 17 seconds.

Romain Febvre (#3) and new teammate Pauls Jonass (#41) went head-to-head at Lierop, showcasing their speed ahead of the MXGP season opener.

In race two, Febvre grabbed the holeshot and engaged in a thrilling battle with Dutch sand specialist and MXGP regular Glenn Coldenhoff. The two distanced themselves from the field by five seconds per lap, but Febvre never faltered, controlling the race from the front to complete a perfect 1-1 sweep. His pace was so strong that he lapped up to sixth place, reinforcing his status as a top contender for the upcoming MXGP season.

“When Sommières was cancelled, we had to change our plan, so huge thanks to the team for making the trip here,” Febvre said. “They had to work on the bike settings because Sommières is a hard-pack track and Lierop is deep sand! I hadn’t trained in the sand for two weeks, but I wanted to do one more race before the first MXGP, so I was happy to be here. In the first moto, I had a good start and was running second when Pauls crashed in the waves—his bike landed in front of me, and I had no chance to avoid it! Luckily, I got back up still leading and won that moto. In the second race, I took the holeshot, and Coldenhoff was pushing, but I stayed in front and won again. I’ve had podiums at Hawkstone and Lacapelle, but it feels great to finally win races. I feel comfortable, I feel fast, and I feel ready for Argentina.”

Meanwhile, Pauls Jonass—who recently joined the team for 2025—delivered an impressive performance despite a pair of setbacks. The former MX2 World Champion led early in moto one before a crash dropped him to fourth, and in moto two, an unfortunate tangle at the start left him dead last. However, he charged through the field with race-leading pace, climbing all the way to third on the final lap to secure an overall podium finish.

“The results could have been better, but the riding and feeling were both good, so I can take a lot of positives to Argentina,” Jonass reflected. “I crashed while leading in the first moto, and in race two, another rider’s handlebars got stuck in my rear wheel off the start, so I was last into turn one. But I found a great rhythm and had good speed to come back to third. I’m ready for the season.”

With three solid pre-season races under their belt, the Kawasaki Racing Team is primed for the long battle ahead.

“Romain’s starts and riding were very strong, and he took no unnecessary risks in this final pre-season race,” KRT Team Manager Antti Pyrhönen said. “Pauls was also riding really well, and considering how much time he spent off the bike, he’s coming strong. The entire team has worked hard, and we’re ready for the World Championship.”

With Febvre looking sharp and Jonass gaining momentum, all eyes are now on Argentina as the 2025 MXGP season kicks off this weekend.

548m euro KTM Creditor Plan Accepted: This is When Production Will Ramp up Again

The news will mean KTM production will begin to ramp up in March 2025

Simon Hancocks

Updated: 25 Feb 2025

 

KTM engine factory building

A significant page has been turned for KTM, as the plan to restructure the business has been accepted by the creditors.

The most significant piece of news from the court in Austria is that production of KTM bikes can once again begin, with a ‘ramp-up’ planned to begin next month. It also brings the news that KTM’s numerous creditors will see 30 per cent of their claims paid by the Austrian company, with the total bill said to be 548 million euros. These funds will have to be with the restructuring administrator by May 23, 2025, with the restructuring ending in June 2025 once the proceedings become legally binding.

 

KTM logo

To help kick start production, KTM is stated to be receiving a sum of 50 million euros from what the press release calls an “extended circle of shareholders”. The companies within that “extended circle” are not named, although CFMoto, Bajaj, FountainVest, and more recently BMW, have all been mentioned as lining up to invest.

The press release from PMG can be read below:

"At today's restructuring plan meeting, the creditors accepted the restructuring plan submitted by KTM AG. This plan provides for creditors to receive a cash quota of 30% of their claims in the form of a one-off payment (cash quota). In order to fulfil the quota of 30%, KTM AG must deposit an amount of EUR 548 million with the restructuring administrator by May 23, 2025 at the latest. The court will then confirm the restructuring plan at the beginning of June 2025 and the restructuring proceedings of KTM AG will end once it becomes legally binding.  

"To enable production to be ramped up again gradually from mid-March 2025, KTM AG will be provided with financial resources totaling EUR 50 million from the extended circle of shareholders. With the approval of the reorganisation plan, this amount will now be transferred to KTM AG to cover the costs of the phased resumption of production in March 2025. The planned full capacity utilisation of the four production lines in single-shift operation is to be achieved within three months.The ramping up of production will understandably be a steady process, with the press release from Pierer Mobility Group stating that “full capacity utilisation of the four production lines in single-shift operation” should be achieved in three months from the proceedings becoming legally binding."

Sexton Owns Up to Costly Race 3 Crash:

“I Knew I Had the Overall, But I Don't Really Care, I Wanted to Win the Race"

Look, every round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross so far this year has been thrilling. There have been exciting stories to follow in both classes each Saturday and we have seen only one repeat winner entering Saturday’s seventh round in Arlington, Texas.

It was set up to be a big round in both the 250SX and 450SX Classes. A tight 250SX West Championship with four different winners in the first four rounds, the second Triple Crown race in a row for this division, and a tight championship battle with multiple riders still very much in it. The 450SX class had only one repeat winner so far entering the night (Chase Sexton) and we had a double red plate (Sexton and Cooper Webb tied) in what could very well be a pivotal seventh round in the 17-round championship fight. Add in unique livery on both the riders and their bikes for the celebration honoring those who serve and have served our country in the military and there was a hell of a lot to look forward to. Well, the Arlington Supercross round sure delivered.

Two different race winners (Ken Roczen and Cooper Webb) won the first two races of the three-round Triple Crown format, and we were set up for a barn burner to finish off the night. One final gate drop to determine the overall winner and see who would leave with the points lead. Would it be Sexton or Webb?

Chase Sexton (five points), Justin Cooper (five points), Ken Roczen (six points), Cooper Webb (seven points), and Justin Hill (eight points) were all in position to win the overall before the third and final race. So much happened on the night and in this race, it was hard to keep track of it all!

Once again, Chase Sexton got to the lead but ran into trouble. First, Sexton stalled his KTM while leading, which handed the race lead over to Webb. Then the second mistake—the bigger of the two—came when the #4 was forcing the issue with Webb late in the race. The problem with Sexton going after Webb on the final lap was the fact that he did it in the first place. He stalled up and coughed up the race lead and damnit, he wanted it back too badly. For the second time in the last three rounds, an almost sure win for Sexton does not happen.

Webb was leading Sexton as they got the white flag. As they ran, Webb’s 6-1-1 (eight points) finishes would come second overall behind Sexton’s 3-2-2 (seven points). Still, Sexton forced the issue on the final lap. Sexton was charging forward, literally up to the rear wheel of Webb…and then right into it. Webb pulled his typically early turn in the 180-degree right-hand turn, a move we have seen him craft and perfect over and over throughout the last five years. But Sexton tucked his front end and slammed into the side of Webb and was sent to the ground.

To make matters worse, Sexton’s body landed directly in front of Mitchell Harrison and the lapped rider ran over Sexton’s legs. Then, after he gets up loses two positions to Anderson and Roczen, Justin Barcia blocks him in the final turn, dropping him to fifth at the checkered flag. The forced move by Sexton was a costly mistake. Instead of backing it down, taking second in the individual race, but winning the overall and remaining in the points lead, Sexton gives Webb the overall win AND sole possession of the championship lead. Watch the incident below.

In the post-race press conference, Scott Yargeau (@MotoNowBlog on X) asked the elephant in the room question: so, why did Sexton force it?

“I mean, I race to win,” Sexton said. “I don't know like, I mean, yes, I knew I had the overall, but I don't 't really care, I wanted to win the race.”

On the opposite end, Webb said in the post-race press conference he knew a win in the final race would likely not end with the overall win. But he went out, executed, and the cards landed in his favor.

“I didn’t feel like I was the best guy tonight, but I put myself in good positions, I guess, and made the most of it,” Webb said.

The raw speed (Sexton) vs consistency (Webb) argument continues to take place amongst race fans.

Webb: "It was like 'Holy cow!' It swung a totally different way than I was anticipating"

Cooper Webb has done it again. Saturday's Arlington Supercross saw Webb and Chase Sexton both with red plates on their race bikes in a pivotal round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. And on a night where the win was in hand for another rider, the North Carolina native somehow managed to pull out a win of his own.

Webb's 6-1-2 finishes had him setup for second overall in the three-race Triple Crown format, with Sexton 3-2-1 finishes. Then, Sexton made a mistake, stalling his bike. Still, the #4 was in the driver's seat for the overall win. Even with the overall win still in hand while in second place, Sexton went for it on the final lap...and went down. The #2 machine, like he has done in the past, positioned himself perfectly and took advantage when the opportunity opened. 

Webb was able to take the race win AND the overall win AND the points lead. It is also the seventh win for Webb in the last nine 450SX races at AT&T Stadium! After the race, Webb spoke with media in the post-race press conference.

Cooper Webb: Obviously, yesterday was a bummer. I had that little crash, get off and a little sore wrist, but, you know, it's dirt bikes. You get back on it and you go from there. But yeah, overall it was a great day. There was a lot of noise this weekend with the red plate and the talks of how well I've done here. You're quickly reminded of all the hype you get when you put yourself in these positions, but that's what you thrive to do. Overall, as a weekend, it was great. I had some of my nieces and nephews here. Overall, yeah, we rode good all day. I base my weekends now on my overall riding and I felt like all day I rode really well. So I was happy with everything.

You've won two premier-class championships before, and I'm sure when you debrief from the season as a whole in both of those years, you can pinpoint a night where things maybe went your way, and that really helps towards the championship. Do you think that tonight could potentially be a night like you for that, or do you think maybe one of these last three weekends could kind of be one of those nights?
Cooper Webb: I mean you have highs and you start to think of the good side. Obviously I've been in a similar position before and you think of those years and you see the trend, but it's motorsports, right? I think yesterday in press day was like a quick reminder, you can get put back to reality really quick. So, I think staying in the moment is important, obviously, and tonight was huge for just overall, leaving with the red plate. After the first main event, I dug myself a big hole, so I didn't see that happening. But last weekend, I think was a good just getting the first one, get the confidence, have a good week, come in here, like, the ball's definitely rolling. I'm definitely in a in a great spot mentally, physically, everything, and definitely ready to charge for this championship.

What are your current thoughts on the championship point standings, and how does that affect your strategies for the upcoming races?
I'm pretty stoked on mine! [Laughs] I'm not gonna lie, but yeah, I love being in the championship hunt, right? That's what we thrive to do, so yeah, I'm gonna try to keep doing the same thing.

Can we dig into that sixth-place finish in race one just a little bit more? What were you going through at that time and did the winning race two change that momentum? Did you, did you think you were gonna get it up until the very end of race three?
The first one was honestly just a bad start. I rode great, just went way too wide in the first turn and got pushed and came out, I think to 11th or 12th and you just can't do that in a Triple Crown, especially the first one when everyone's really going for it and the track's fresh and there's not much time. So, I knew to get on the box tonight, I needed to have low scores in the last two. So that was my game plan was to ultimately try to win the last two and see where it put me. I mean, I even knew going into the last one, even if I won the race, I was likely to not win, so that's when all this craziness happened. It was like “Holy cow!” It swung a totally different way than I was anticipating.

Hospitalized Smith outlines extent of Arlington injuries

motoonline.com

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Section: Competition Post: Kane Taylor

No timetable for 250SX class contender's return.

Triumph Racing rider Jordon Smith has outlined the extent of the injuries he sustained in a heavy fall during round seven of Monster Energy Supercross in Arlington, including broken ribs and internal complications.

Battling out front during the first of three Triple Crown races, Smith was coming under pressure from a charging Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) in the closing stages of the encounter.

A wild ride through the whoops saw Smith come unstuck, ploughing his upper torso into the face of a whoop, and drawing a premature end to his night in 250SX West class competition. He remains hospitalized, but is expecting to be discharged as soon as tomorrow.

“What a bummer,” Smith recalled.“Can be doing everything right and still things happen in this sport that you just don’t know why. I’m beat up, but I’ll be back. I have four broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a small laceration in my spleen. They’re monitoring me for a little longer and should be headed home in the morning.”

It’s a tough blow to both Smith and the Triumph Racing outfit, with the former sitting just two points from the western division points lead entering the Texas round this past weekend.

As for the team, Smith now joins both Jalek Swoll and Stilez Roberston on the sidelines as they recover from injury, while Austin Forkner continues to fly the sole flag for the British manufacturer in the 250SX East class.

Arlington Highlights

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