News

From conception to development, get exclusive access and join us as we go behind the scenes and look at the fascinating process of bringing the all-new KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R to life in this in-depth look at the BIRTH OF THE BEAST 4.0.

Get ready to meet the stars of the show – the passionate and dedicated engineers whose relentless pursuit of perfection turned dreams into a 1,350 cc, 190 PS reality.

Then, from the test bench to the track, there’s no substitute for a real rider’s feel, and who better than former MotoGP™ racer Jeremy McWilliams to put the developments to the test.

The ultimate result… Not only the most fearsome DUKE ever created, but the stand-out leader of the Hyper Naked category.

The KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team has aligned with FLY Racing ahead of the 2023 Triple Crown Series, in which it will field a dynamic three-rider roster in Jess Pettis, defending 250 Pro class champion Ryder McNabb and the returning Kaven Benoit.

At 25 years of age, Pettis will enter as KTM's sole team rider in the 450 class onboard the 2023 KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION this season, motivated to rebound after an injury-affected past season and with his sights firmly set on the number one plate. He's energized by the striking new look with FLY Racing and the challenge that lies ahead in a bid for a maiden premier class crown.

Jess Pettis, KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team 450 Rider: “I’m really stoked to be working with FLY. The gear is awesome and we’ll look fresh all season. I’m feeling really healthy and can’t wait to go racing.”

Securing victory at the 2023 Dakar Rally with Kevin Benavides, KTM secured its 19th win at the most grueling and iconic of all off-road events. Not only that, KTM secured an incredible one-two finish with the fight for the win literally going down to the final few kilometers of the two-week-long competition.

It was Kevin Benavides’ incredible consistency and speed over the 14 stages of racing that paid off, with the Argentinian racer coming from 12 seconds behind on the penultimate day to clinch the win after a blinding display of riding on the very final stage. His Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Toby Price, who eventually placed second, can hold his head high, as the two-time Dakar Champion fought right to the finish, ultimately losing out by an agonizing 43 seconds.

The 2023 event will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the toughest ever for a variety of reasons. Riders covered well over 8,000 kilometers in total, and close to 5,000 of them were raced against the clock. If the unforgiving Saudi desert wasn’t tough enough, the heavy rains that fell over the first week of racing threw another challenge into the mix with flooded rivers and muddy lake beds making racing and navigating even tougher. Add that to the two weeks of early mornings and minimal sleep and you end up with not only one of the most physically demanding events in the world, but one of the most mentally draining, too.

The first week of racing at this year’s Dakar went incredibly well for the KTM-mounted desert warriors. Kevin Benavides was lying second overall and was closely followed in third by the young, up-and-coming American Mason Klein. One place behind Mason, Toby Price was less than two minutes behind the leader on what was already shaping up to be one of the tightest Dakars in history. Rounding out the top 10 after stage eight was Matthias Walkner – not the position the Austrian wanted to occupy, but after crashing on day two and injuring his wrist, the fact that he was even able to continue was outstanding.

Going into the second week of racing it was all about the dunes. And while the navigation was perhaps less demanding, the ability to read the terrain became far more important. Mason Klein, who had already topped stage two, unfortunately suffered two crashes on the first day back after the rest day. Although he was able to continue, the injuries he sustained would eventually rule him out of contention. The 21-year-old future star was forced to throw in the towel on day 12. Matthias Walkner was also forced to withdraw one day later when a crash near the start of the special on day 13 resulted in the Austrian being airlifted to hospital. Thankfully Matthias sustained no serious injuries.

At the close of that 13th day, Kevin Benavides, who had topped the timesheets despite stopping to aid the injured Walkner, trailed his teammate Price by just 12 seconds. The Dakar was going to come down to a 138-kilometer sprint on the final day. With the start order reversed for stage 14, Benavides set off second to last, with Price just three minutes behind. The two KTM 450 RALLY riders both gave everything they had over that final special, but there would be just one winner – Kevin Benavides.

With navigation proving critical on the final day of competition, by missing a couple of waypoints and being forced to turn back, Toby Price finished the stage 55 seconds down on Benavides. The final result gave Benavides victory and an incredible 19th Dakar win for KTM. With Price rounding out the top two overall, it was an incredible fortnight of racing for the whole Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.

Kevin Benavides: “It’s been an amazing day! I just focused on every kilometer from the first to the last. I didn’t think about the position or the result I just gave my 100 percent over the whole stage and tried to enjoy the day. The final special was really fast and tricky, and so muddy – thankfully I didn’t make any big mistakes, but it would have been easy to have an issue out there. I have worked so hard for this. This year’s rally has been one of the closest ever and there wasn’t a single day where you could afford to ease off. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team, and all my family and friends. It’s going to take a little while to sink in, I can’t describe this feeling right now.”

Toby Price: “So, so close. Yeah, a great job from Kevin, he did really well. I knew it was going to be tight, and of course I pushed right from the start all through the stage. I just missed three waypoints by virtually meters, and it dropped me back. Obviously, the goal is to win, and it’s frustrating to miss out by such a narrow margin. But I’m fit, healthy, and I’m going home with a trophy, so that’s the most important thing. I’m ready for another one next year.”

Norbert Stadlbauer – Rally Team Manager: “It's been an incredible Dakar – one of the toughest in history and definitely the closest! It’s been such a close battle inside the Red Bull KTM team with Toby and Kevin separated by just 12 seconds going into the final day today. Thankfully, the performances of both riders gave KTM a one-two in the race, with Kevin earning his second win and the 19th for KTM. Of course, you can’t have two winners, but Toby claiming second place is still an incredible achievement and down to the hard work he has put in over the two weeks. The team have also done an amazing job, not just at the event, but also over the whole of the past year building up to this race. Now it’s time to celebrate before we look ahead to the next race in the season.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “Beside the riders, I’m maybe the happiest man on the planet right now. It’s amazing after this long journey and this tough race, to have only 12 seconds separating the two guys coming into this final day. And then for them to push so hard over the stage and reach the finish line safely and in first and second is incredible. After around 5,000 kilometers and over 40 hours of racing, to have them so close is unheard of, and the whole team did an amazing job to get them here in this position. What it came down to was basically a motocross race for 130 kilometers. Both riders did an amazing job, and even though you can only have one winner, I’m hugely proud of them both, as the pressure was really on today. KTM now have 19 wins at the toughest offroad race in the world, but we won't stop there. We're already looking forward to this season and then the 2024 Dakar next year.”

Overall Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 44:27:20
2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 44:28:03 +0:43
3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 44:32:24 +5:04
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 44:46:22 +19:02
5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 44:47:50 +20:30

KAMLOOPS, BC – The KTM Canada – Red Bull – THOR Race Team kicked off the 2022 Triple Crown Series in Kamloops with a pair of steady podium finishes in the 450 Pro and 250 Pro classes, thanks to hard-fought performances from teammates Jess Pettis and Jacob Piccolo in their respective divisions. Additionally, team rider Sebastien Racine had a strong debut in the 250 Pro class with an impressive third-place podium finish in his first moto.

Making its return to the west coast for the first time since 2019, the first round was a much-anticipated event for fans all across the country. Coming into the weekend with a weeks-old wrist injury wasn’t the ideal start for Jess Pettis and his bid for a first premier class title but he made the most of it with a podium finish at Round 1. He was a bit slow off the start of moto one but he fell into a rhythm as the race went on, finishing a solid fourth. Looking for redemption the second time around, Pettis came back swinging with a stronger start in moto two, positioning himself inside the podium battle right away. With 14 solid laps of racing, Pettis’ third-place finish was enough to secure third overall with combined 4-3 moto scores on the day. 

Jess Pettis, KTM Canada – Red Bull – THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “The first round of the nationals is done and I’m pretty happy with the day. The first moto, I struggled to find a flow but I ended up P4. I wasn’t too happy about that but we made some changes and rebounded for the second moto. I got off to a good start and found a good flow, rode some good laps and ended up third in the second moto. Overall, I want to be at the top and try to win but considering my circumstance – I’ve been having a couple weeks with a broken wrist and no time on the bike – it’s not too bad. It’s a good start to the season and something to build from.”

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team is pleased to announce the signing of fan favorite Aaron Plessinger to race aboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross Championships. Upon inking a two-year deal, Plessinger will remain with the team through the 2023 season with his much-anticipated debut taking place at the Anaheim SX opener on Saturday, January 8 in Anaheim, California.

Plessinger enjoyed a successful run in the 250 cc division, including a 250MX Championship in 2018 and countless race-wins in both series. Since moving into the premier 450 cc division in 2019, the 25-year-old has slated numerous top-10 finishes, along with one career top-five, and he is READY TO RACE onto the podium with an all-new program behind him in 2022.

Training with world-renown SX/MX trainer Aldon Baker at the elite Baker’s Factory compound in Florida, Plessinger will also work alongside mechanic Jade Dungey, who re-joins the Red Bull KTM squad for his first season together with AP.

Aaron Plessinger: “I’m really excited for the opportunity to join Red Bull KTM and work alongside everyone associated with the factory team effort. To be honest, I’m pretty excited to bring a new vibe to the team. I rode KTMs a lot as a kid, so I’m looking forward to getting back to my roots and having some fun but this time on the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. Getting to train at Baker’s Factory with Aldon Baker, who has helped shape the careers of many champions over the years, is an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up. Hopefully I can push my fitness to new limits and better hone in my racing techniques by training alongside all the other top riders there.”

Ian Harrison – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Aaron’s depth of talent has been on our radar for years but he has really come into his own more recently and lucky for us, during a time when we were in a position to bring him on-board for 2022. We were excited that during contract negotiations, he expressed interest in being a part of the full training program – a program we have worked very hard on for many years – and felt he would really benefit from it at this stage in his career. The gains he has already made not just on the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, but also meshing with the team and his mechanic, Jade Dungey, should keep the crew smiling, and on their toes, year-round. Aaron is a real character and a welcomed addition to our 2022 rider lineup.”

The 2022 AMA Supercross Championship kicks off on Saturday, January 8 in Anaheim, California.

For more information on KTM and its riders, please visit www.ktm.com

COURTLAND, ON – KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team’s Cole Thompson swept the final two rounds of the SX Tour over the weekend, delivering another flawless 1-1 victory to claim back-to-back 450 Pro SX Tour Championships. With his strong finish to the season, Thompson also secured enough points to clinch the 2021 Triple Crown Series Overall title with consistent performances all year. 

Returning back to Gopher Dunes for another double-header weekend, Thompson picked up right where he left off at the opening rounds with a top performance from start to finish. Leading every lap of the weekend, Thompson made a big statement as he raced his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to the center of the podium with dominant performances in all four motos. 

Cole Thompson, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “I am beyond happy to be able to win my 3rd SX Championship & 2nd Triple Crown Championship! Ending my season on a perfect 8 for 8 moto wins. A massive thank you goes out to my entire team for all their efforts and giving me these opportunities to perform at my best. So proud of everyone involved and grateful to be part of this team. Cheers to the 2021 season!” 

Jean-Sebastien Roy, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team Manager: “I’m really happy for Cole to finish the season strong with this domination in SX. He rode flawless and really showed his SX skills by winning every moto of the short series. It’s definitely a great way to finish the series!” 

KTM Supported Riders – Recently crowned 250 Pro MX Tour Champion, Jacob Piccolo, came close to securing a second title in the SX Tour, finishing only six points behind in second overall. Piccolo had a strong finish to the series, claiming two moto-wins on the weekend, but a tough 10th place moto-finish on day one kept him from sweeping the year in the 250 Pro division. 

KTM Canada would like to extend a big congratulations to Cole Thompson, Jess Pettis and the entire KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team, as well as KTM’s supported riders and crews for an incredible season in 2021. With Canadian Pro National racing ending for the year, our teams will go to work with off-season preparations in order to be READY TO RACE at the drop of the gate in 2022. 

To view Full KTM Press Releases, please visit the KTM Press Center. 

450 Pro Results – Round 3 

1. Cole Thompson, KTM, 1-1 

2. Westen Wrozyna, Yamaha, 2-2 

3. Davey Fraser, Husqvarna, 4-3 

250 Pro Results – Round 3 

1. Tanner Ward, Honda, 4-1 

2. Tyler Gibbs, GASGAS, 3-2 

3. Darian Sanayei, Kawasaki, 2-3 

4. Jacob Piccolo, KTM, 1-10 

450 Pro Results – Round 4 

1. Cole Thompson, KTM, 1-1 

2. Westen Wrozyna, Yamaha, 3-2 

3. Davey Fraser, Husqvarna, 2-4 

250 Pro Results – Round 4 

1. Jacob Piccolo, KTM, 2-1 

2. Darian Sanayei, Kawasaki, 1-2 

3. Marco Canella, Yamaha, 4-3 

450 Pro SX Tour Championship 

1. Cole Thompson, 200 points 

2. Westen Wrozyna, 153 

3. Davey Fraser, 142 

250 Pro SX Tour Championship 

1. Darian Sanayei, 169 points 

2. Jacob Piccolo, 163 

3. Marco Cannella, 158 

450 Pro Triple Crown Series Overall 

1. Cole Thompson, 482 points 

2. Marshal Weltin, 389 

3. Dylan Wright, 373 

250 Pro Triple Crown Series Overall 

1. Darian Sanayei, 477 points 

2. Jacob Piccolo, 475 

3. Tanner Ward, 411 

Photos provided by James Lissimore 

Si vous souhaitez obtenir une copie de ce communiqué de presse en français, veuillez envoyer un courriel électronique à marketingcanada@ktm.com.  

WALTON, ON – The KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team riders Jess Pettis and Cole Thompson wrapped up the MX Tour portion of the 2021 Triple Crown Series in Walton and despite having his rookie season championship run end, it was a show of strength for Pettis and the team. KTM supported rider Jacob Piccolo raced well under pressure and clinched the 250 Pro Class Championship. Jacob fought valiantly to pick up those tough moto wins when it mattered most this season and is coming home with his first ever Pro championship. Jacob adds his name alongside the list of riders to win the 250 Pro Class Championship aboard a KTM 250 SX-F like Jess Pettis, Kaven Benoit & Cole Thompson.

Jacob Piccolo, KTM Supported 250 Rider: “I’m super stoked to get the 250 Pro Championship this year. A lot of hard work in the off-season put into this and it feels good for it to all pay off. I had a great bike this year and the points were close all season long so it was a tough battle but it was a good season. Thank you to Al Dyck / SKY Racing who have been part of this program as well.”

Lining up in Moto 1, Pettis secured a top-three position off the start. He settled into a comfortable fifth early on and despite racing through injury, Pettis dug deep to salvage fifth and took home the second overall position in points in his rookie season in the 450 Pro class. In Moto 1, it was Thompson who jetted off the line to capture the holeshot aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION led the first three laps of the race. He got passed early on but continued to fight all the way to the checkers, finishing a close second in the first moto.

Pettis, on a whim, decided to line up again for Moto 2 where he had a favorable second place start. He decided not to push the envelope as he settled into a fifth-place position for the rest of the race, coming away with fifth overall on the day. With that, Pettis was able to maintain second-place in the MX Tour Championship with three overall-wins in 2021.

Jess Pettis, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “This last round at Walton was a lot of unexpected for me. With my hard crash and injuries from the previous round, I was unsure if I could ride but I was able to salvage 5-5 on the day and second in the championship. It was a dig-deep kind of day and I’m sure my body will be very sore but I’m happy with the decision. Massive thanks to my team and everyone for working so hard all season long for me."

It was Thompson who jetted off the line in Moto 1 to capture the holeshot aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and he led the first three laps of the race. He got passed early on but continued to fight all the way to the checkers, finishing a close second in the first moto. In Moto 2, Thompson got off to a fifth place start and immediately worked his way into second by lap four. He made an early charge toward the lead battle, but he was in a race of his own to finish second in the moto and second overall for the day.

Cole Thompson, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “It was good to finish the season with a podium, especially after struggling so much the previous race. The bike was amazing and I felt really comfortable with the track, so now it’s time to start my preparation to defend my SX championship in two weeks.”

Jean-Sebastien Roy, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team Manager: “It was an amazing weekend for us at KTM! We expected Cole to do well at Walton and he was up to the challenge, he rode amazingly strong to finish the season on a positive note with a second place. It was a heck of a turnaround for Jess, the original plan was to have him sign autographs and hang out for the last round of the Canadian Amateur Nationals, but he ended up going on the line for the first moto and the rest is history. We weren’t expecting it, but it was a great ending to the season for him. KTM Supported rider Jacob Piccolo rode amazing under tremendous pressure and was able to walk away with a 250 Pro Championship. It’s a huge accomplishment for him and his team, congratulations to Jacob for getting it done! ”

WMX Class – KTM Supported racer Eve Brodeur concluded the series with a perfect season, claiming the Thor WMX Championship in a dominant fashion. She was joined atop the podium at Walton by KTM riders Sarah-Kim Villeneuve in second and Malia Garant in third for an all-orange podium sweep once again.

WALTON Amateur TransCan – KTM Supported racer & Orange Brigade rider Sebastien Racine also took the 250 Intermediate & Schoolboy 2 Championship at the Walton Amateur TransCan during the week of amateur racing leading up to the Pro National.

To view Full KTM Press Releases, please visit the KTM Press Center.

Next Race: SX Tour Round 1 – August 28 – Courtland, Ontario 

450 Pro Results – Walton Two

1. Dylan Wright, Honda, 1-1

2. Cole Thompson, KTM, 2-2

3. Marshal Weltin, Kawasaki, 4-3

4. Tyler Medaglia, GASGAS, 3-4

5. Jess Pettis, KTM, 5-5

OTHER KTM

6. Liam O’Farrell, KTM

10. Taylor Ciampichini, KTM

11. Anthony Spadaccini, KTM

250 Pro Results – Walton Two

1. Darian Sanayei, Kawasaki, 3-1

2. Jacob Piccolo, KTM, 2-3

3. Ryder McNabb, Honda, 4-2

OTHER KTM

9. Sebastien Racine, KTM

450 Pro Championship (MX Tour 2021)

1. Dylan Wright, 342 points

2. Jess Pettis, 303

3. Marshal Weltin, 303

4. Cole Thompson, 282

OTHER KTM

6. Liam O’Farrell, 192

9. Tim Tremblay, 157

250 Pro Championship (MX Tour 2021)

1. Jacob Piccolo, 312 points

2. Darian Sanayei, 308

3. Ryder McNabb, 307

Photos provided by James Lissimore

OTTAWA, ON – KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team’s Jess Pettis returned to the top of the podium on Sunday with his second overall victory of the season at Sand Del Lee. Teammate Cole Thompson battled up front in both motos to secure a steady fourth overall with a 4-4 finish on the day.

In Moto 1, Pettis immediately put on the charge to secure the holeshot and early lead aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. He maintained a good pace out front for the first 13 laps before he was joined by another rider for the lead battle late in the race. Pettis was eventually overtaken for the lead with four laps to go and he finished strong in second. Thompson, who battled inside the top-three for the first half of the race, finished just off the podium in fourth. 

In Moto 2, Pettis once again commanded the lead with a powerful holeshot and the 450 Class rookie sustained a pace that couldn’t be matched throughout the 18-lap race. Leading from start to finish, Pettis capped off the day with his fourth moto-win of the season on the way to claiming the overall victory at Round 5. 

Jess Pettis, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “I’m really happy with this weekend at Sand Del Lee. I was able to grab both holeshots and get 2-1 moto results for first overall. I’ll continue to work hard and fight for this championship until the very end.” 

Thompson started just outside the top-five in Moto 2 and he put his head down to charge up to third halfway through the race. He fought hard in the final laps to ultimately come away with a fourth-place finish in the second moto and fourth overall on the day.

Cole Thompson, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “Tough race again this weekend missing out on the podium. I’m working hard to get things turned around during the week, it just hasn’t all clicked yet at the races. Massive thank you to the entire team for all their efforts and good job to my teammate on getting the win.” 

Jean-Sebastien Roy, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team Manager: “Another great weekend for our team, Jess won the overall of the day with a tie finish and KTM supported rider Jacob Piccolo finished a strong second place and is now sitting on top of the list for the championship where he is tied for first place. Another KTM supported rider, Sebastien Racine, began his Pro debut in the 250 Pro class and finished both motos in 5th place.”

WMX Class – It was a KTM podium-sweep in the THOR WMX division at Sand Del Lee, with KTM Supported racer Eve Brodeur at the helm with another 1-1 victory. KTM rider Sarah-Kim Villeneuve finished strong in second with 2-2 moto scores, and Malia Garant rounded out the podium with 3-3 finishes aboard her KTM. 

Orange Brigade – KTM Orange Brigade rider Jacob Piccolo put forth a consistent ride in the 250 Pro class, claiming a pair of 3-2 podium finishes to secure second overall on the day. After five rounds, Piccolo continues to fight for the championship as he sits tied for the top spot.

To view Full KTM Press Releases, please visit the KTM Press Center. 

To see the complete schedule for the 2021 Triple Crown Series,  Click Here.

Next Race: August 1/2 – Deschambault, Quebec  

450 Pro Results – Sand Del Lee

1. Jess Pettis, KTM (2-1) 

2. Dylan Wright, Honda (1-2)

3. Marshal Weltin, Kawasaki (3-3) 

4. Cole Thompson, KTM (4-4)

OTHER KTM 

6. Tim Tremblay, KTM

7. Liam O’Farrell, KTM 

250 Pro Results – Sand Del Lee

1. Ryder McNabb, Honda (2-1) 

2. Jacob Piccolo, KTM (3-2)

3. Darian Sanayei, Kawasaki (4-3) 

OTHER KTM

5. Sebastien Racine, KTM (5-5) 

450 Pro Championship Standings – After 5 Rounds

1. Jess Pettis, 206 points 

2. Dylan Wright, 205

3. Marshal Weltin, 178 

4. Cole Thompson, 171

OTHER KTM 

6. Tim Tremblay, 129

9. Liam O’Farrell, 111 

250 Pro Championship Standings – After 5 Rounds

1. Ryder McNabb, 186 points 

2. Jacob Piccolo, 186

3. Tanner Ward, 179 

Photos provided by James Lissimore

Si vous souhaitez obtenir une copie de ce communiqué de presse en français, veuillez envoyer un courriel électronique à marketingcanada@ktm.com. 

COURTLAND, ON – The KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team got right back into racing over the weekend with Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2021 Triple Crown Series MX Tour taking place at Gopher Dunes. Team rider Jess Pettis highlighted the team’s efforts with a pair of solid podium finishes on both days, including a moto-win on Sunday; while Cole Thompson remained steady inside the top-five all weekend long.

On Saturday, it was a one-moto format for the third round and Pettis found himself in the lead battle right away. Leading laps and showing great speed, the 450 Class rookie raced his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION straight to the podium and third overall on the day. His teammate, Thompson, followed suit with good battles up front, scoring a solid fourth overall on the day. 

The KTM duo returned to racing once again on Sunday for Round 4, picking up where they left off with some intense racing up front. It was Pettis who assumed the lead right away in Moto 1 and he mixed it up inside the top-three before finishing strong with the moto-win. Following it up with a second-place finish in Moto 2, Pettis solidified second overall on day two. Thompson had a slower start to the day, finishing sixth in moto one but he rallied back to land just outside the podium in moto two. With 6-4 moto finishes, Thompson claimed a top-five overall to round out the weekend.

Halfway through the series, Pettis sits only one point away from the championship lead in the 450 Pro Class. 

Jess Pettis, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “I struggled to find comfort on Saturday, but I was able to grab a third overall on the day and on Sunday, the team and I worked hard to make me more comfortable. The track was very challenging. I was able to get 1-2 moto scores for second overall. I am one point away from the championship lead and I’m happy with the position I’m in leading into next weekend at San Del Lee.”

With one podium finish behind him in the first four rounds, Thompson now sits fourth overall in the championship standings with plenty of racing left to go. 

Cole Thompson, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “It was a tough weekend in the sand, I wasn’t on-pace both days. Thanks to my team for everything, time to focus on next weekend and be better.”

Jean-Sebastien Roy, KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team Manager: “I’m happy our guys battled through the weekend at Gopher Dunes.  We all know this track is different from a lot of other tracks and anything can happen out there. Jess and Cole have showed some strong stamina during the weekend and came away with podium finishes and in a good point position for the championship. We’re looking forward to San Del Lee next weekend where both riders have performed well in the past.” 

WMX Class – KTM Supported racer Eve Brodeur continued her winning streak in the WMX Class with a sweeping 1-1 victory on the day, followed by KTM rider Sarah-Kim Villeneuve putting in a strong 2-2 finish in the class.

Orange Brigade – KTM Orange Brigade rider Jacob Piccolo had an impressive performance throughout the weekend, managing 2-1 overall finishes in the 250 Pro class. Piccolo currently sits tied for first place in the 250 Pro standings halfway through the series. 

To view Full KTM Press Releases, please visit the KTM Press Center.

To see the complete schedule for the 2021 Triple Crown Series, Click Here. 

Next Race: July 18 – San Del Lee, Ottawa, Ontario

450 Pro Results – Gopher Dunes 1

1. Marshal Weltin, Kawasaki (1-1) 

2. Dylan Wright, Honda (2-2)

3. Jess Pettis, KTM (3-3) 

4. Cole Thompson, KTM (4-4)

OTHER KTM

8. Liam O’Farrell, KTM 

9. Tim Tremblay, KTM

250 Pro Results – Gopher Dunes 1

1. Ryder McNabb, Honda (1-1) 

2. Jacob Piccolo, KTM (2-2)

3. Tanner Ward, Honda (3-3) 

450 Pro Results – Gopher Dunes 2

1. Dylan Wright, Honda (2-1) 

2. Jess Pettis, KTM (1-2)

3. Marshal Weltin, Kawasaki (4-3) 

OTHER KTM

5. Cole Thompson, KTM (6-4) 

7. Tim Tremblay, KTM

8. Liam O’Farrell, KTM 

250 Pro Results – Gopher Dunes 2

1. Jacob Piccolo, KTM (5-1) 

2. Marco Canella, Yamaha (1-5)

3. Darien Sanayei, Kawasaki (4-2) 

450 Pro Championship Standings – After 4 Rounds

1. Dylan Wright, 180 points 

2. Jess Pettis, 179

3. Marshal Weltin, 163 

4. Cole Thompson, 153

OTHER KTM

7. Tim Tremblay, 113 

9. Liam O’Farrell, 97

250 Pro Championship Standings – After 4 Rounds

1. Jacob Piccolo, 166 points 

2. Tanner Ward, 166

3. Ryder McNabb, 164 

Photos provided by James Lissimore

Si vous souhaitez obtenir une copie de ce communiqué de presse en français, veuillez envoyer un courriel électronique à marketingcanada@ktm.com .

WALTON, Ontario – The KTM Canada Red Bull THOR Race Team had a strong start to the 2021 Triple Crown Series, capping off an exciting double-header weekend at Walton with a powerful finish in the 450 class. With rookie Jess Pettis on top claiming his first-career 450 win on Sunday and getting his first-ever 450 Class Red Plate going into next weekend, teammate Cole Thompson backed it up with a solid runner-up finish, giving the team a positive outlook after the first two rounds of racing.

Officially debuting in Round 1 of the premier class aboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION on Friday, Jess Pettis was eager to return to racing with a new challenge on his plate. Pettis eased his way back in having been out of the racing circuit due to a knee injury in the beginning of 2021 and finished with a strong second place. His consistency and speed earned him a second place overall to kick off the season. Cole Thompson was not far behind finishing the day with a 4-4 for 4th overall of the day. 

Round 2 of racing resumed on Sunday with a three-moto format and Pettis maintained a consistent pace throughout the day. Claiming a strong 3rd place in moto one, the 450-rookie turned it up a notch in the final two motos with an impressive 1-1 finishes to solidify his presence in the premier class being followed closely by teammate Cole Thompson who finished the day with a solid 2nd overall.

Jess Pettis, KTM Canada – Red Bull – THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “I’m really happy with how the first two rounds went at Walton. I started out with consistent podium results on Friday to get second overall at my first 450 race after a long injury with my knee during the winter time. Round 2 on Sunday went really well – I qualified first but I didn’t feel too comfortable in the first moto so we made a few small changes. Then I went 1-1 in the last two motos to get my first overall on a 450 and getting the red plate leading into Gopher Dunes next weekend. I’m really excited and hopefully we can keep this rolling.” 

It was a solid entrance into the 2021 season for Cole Thompson, who came away with a consistent set of finishes as well. Thompson put himself in a favorable position from the get-go as he battled up front in both motos on Friday. Leading a few laps in the second moto, Thompson fought hard to ultimately come away with 4-4 finishes at Round 1. 

On Sunday, Thompson once again found himself in the lead battle during all three races and he maintained a consistent performance to claim 2-2-2 finishes across the board. Concluding the weekend with solid finishes of fourth and second overall, Thompson sits third in the early championship standings. 

Cole Thompson, KTM Canada – Red Bull – THOR Race Team 450 Rider: “Second overall today and a 1-2 finish for the team. I’m happy to be in the mix for wins, I just need to keep pushing forward to be better every moto. I want to give a huge thanks to my entire team for their full effort every day, let’s keep this ball rolling into next weekend. “

Jean-Sebastien Roy, KTM Canada – Red Bull – THOR Race Team Manager: “It was an amazing first weekend for the series. The whole team did an incredible job getting the season started right and of course, Cole and Jess put the hammer down with the results on the track. Having two guys on the podium is what we have been looking for. Moving into the next round, the team is looking to put their fitness to the test in the deep sand of Gopher Dunes.” 

WMX Class – KTM Supported racer Eve Brodeur had a great start to the 2021 series as she swept the first two motos of the Thor WMX class to claim the overall victory on Sunday. Additionally, Brodeur put in a solid performance on Friday in the 250 Pro class, where she scored 26th overall at the season opener.

Orange Brigade – KTM Orange Brigade rider Jacob Piccolo had a standout performance at the opening weekend, managing two consistent podium finishes in the 250 Pro overall. Piccolo started off strong with 3rd overall on Friday and he carried that momentum into Sunday’s race as he claimed a moto win to start day and finished 3rd overall. 

To view Full KTM Press Releases, please visit the KTM Press Center

To see the complete schedule for the 2021 Triple Crown Series, click here. 

Please visit KTM.com for more information on KTM products, racing, sales promotions and any other information

Next Race: July 10 – 11 – Courtland, Ontario

450 Pro Results – Walton 1

1. Dylan Wright, Honda (1-1) 

2. Jess Pettis, KTM (3-2)

3. Marshal Weltin, Kawasaki (2-3) 

4. Cole Thompson, KTM (4-4)

OTHER KTM 

6. Tim Tremblay, KTM

9. Liam O’Farrell, KTM 

250 Pro Results – Walton 1

1. Tanner Ward,        Honda (4-1) 

2. Marco Cannella, Yamaha (3-2)

3. Jacob Piccolo,        KTM (2-3) 

OTHER KTM:

11. Jeremy Mckie, KTM  

26. Eve Brodeur, KTM

450 Pro Results – Walton 2

1. Jess Pettis, KTM (3-1-1) 

2. Cole Thompson, KTM (2-2-2)

3. Dylan Wright, Honda (1-4-4) 

OTHER KTM

7. Tim Tremblay, KTM 

10. Liam O’Farrell, KTM
 

250 Pro Results – Walton 2

1. Tanner Ward, Honda (4-3-1) 

1.  Ryder McNabb, Honda (2-2-4)

3. Jacob Piccolo, KTM  

OTHER KTM

10. Jeremy Mckie, KTM 

Photos provided by James Lissimore

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The 2021 AMA Extreme Championship headed east for the third round of its eastern series and FMF KTM Factory Racing Team’s Trystan Hart put forth a solid panel of 1-2-1 moto scores to come away with the overall win at the Madd Moose Hard Enduro. Teammate Taylor Robert maintained a consistent running throughout the day, rounding out the top-five overall with 4-5-5 finishes. 

It was once again a head-to-head showdown between Hart and his championship rival Cody Webb, as both riders dueled over the course of the three-moto format. It was Hart who charged out of the gate in race one, racing his KTM 300 XC-W TPI to a convincing victory. In race two, Webb struck back but it wasn’t without a fight from Hart, who ultimately finished 10 seconds behind for second. Race three was a winner-take-all and Hart proved to be the stronger rider on the day as he bested Webb by a 10 second margin, claiming the race three win and overall victory in Michigan. After three rounds, Hart continues to lead the way in the EEC point standings.

Trystan Hart: “It was an amazing day! I won the first moto and Cody won the second moto so it was do or die heading into the final moto. Cody pressured me the whole moto but ultimately I withstood it and secured the win.”

For Robert, consistency was key as he struggled to put forth a mistake-free performance in the tight terrain. In race one, he powered his KTM 300 XC-W TPI to a good start and kept a solid pace to finish fourth. He capped off the day with a pair of fifth-place finishes in races two and three, which gave him a top-five overall for the day.

Taylor Robert: “All-in-all, it was a fun race and I felt like I did the best I could. I was starting up front pretty much every time but I had little mistakes here and there. We’ll try to get them back at the next one.”

Next Race: Round 4 WEC – June 19 – Silver Mountain Extreme in Kellogg, Idaho

Overall Pro Results

1. Trystan Hart, KTM, 1-2-1

2. Cody Webb, Sherco, 2-1-2

3. Colton Haaker, Husqvarna, 3-3-4

OTHER KTM

5. Taylor Robert, KTM, 4-5-5

10. Cooper Abbott, KTM, 11-8-10

See the full press release HERE.

COURTLAND, ON – KTM Red Bull THOR Factory Race Team’s Cole Thompson made a statement return back to racing over the weekend with impressive first and third overall finishes at the 2020 Triple Crown Series SX Tour opener at Gopher Dunes. Sweeping both Main Events on Friday and following it up on Saturday with a pair of seconds to emerge with third overall, Thompson has assumed control of the 450 Pro championship points with two rounds remaining.

With a double header race weekend taking place at Gopher Dunes, Friday served as the opening round of the SX Tour and Round 2 followed closely behind on Saturday. After being off the bike for a month, Thompson was READY TO RACE his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and it showed as he went on to sweep the opening round with 1-1 Main Event finishes. It wasn’t without contest, though, as Thompson diced back-and-forth with Dylan Wright in the first race before solidifying the top position with five laps to go. In Main Event two, Thompson got out front early on and led all 21 laps to seal up a successful first night under the lights.

On night two, Thompson once again assumed the early lead in both Main Events but this time the cards weren’t in his favor as he dropped into second halfway through both races. With a good number of laps led throughout the night, Thompson was able to maintain a consistent pace to finish 2-2 in the Main Events and secure third overall at Round 2. With two rounds remaining in the SX Tour, Thompson holds a seven-point lead in the championship.

Cole Thompson, KTM Red Bull Thor Factory 450 Rider: “It was a great first weekend back with the team. I was able to win both Main Events on night one and then a consistent 2-2 for night two. I’m happy to be back at the races, happy to have the points lead and obviously with two rounds to go, I want to come out swinging and hopefully clinch this championship next weekend.”

Jean-Sebastien Roy, KTM Red Bull Thor Factory Team Manager: “I’m very pumped for Cole and his win on Friday night. On Saturday, he got a bad start in the Main Event but he rode really good and was the fastest guy. It’s positive for him to be back and hopefully finish the season strong next weekend at the last round.”

Orange Brigade – KTM Orange Brigade rider Sebastien Racine once again had a clean sweep in the amateur division taking the win in the 250 Intermediate, Open Intermediate and Cash Class.

Next Race: September 25/26 – SX Tour – Gopher Dunes, Courtland, Ontario'

450 Pro Results – Round 1

1. Cole Thompson, KTM (1-1)

2. Dylan Wright, Honda (2-3)

3. Matt Goerke, Kawasaki (6-2)

OTHER KTM

10. Liam O’Farrell, KTM (7-12)

250 Pro Results – Round 1

1. Marshal Weltin, Kawasaki (4-1)

2. Tanner Ward, Honda (3-2)

3. Marco Cannella, Yamaha (2-3)

OTHER KTM

4. Jyire Mitchell, KTM

5. Guillaume St-Cyr, KTM

7. Jeremy Mckie, KTM

8. Quinn Amyotte, KTM

450 Pro Results – Round 2

1. Dylan Wright, Honda (3-1)

2. Matt Goerke, Kawasaki (1-3)

3. Cole Thompson, KTM (2-2)

450 Pro Series Points – Round 2 of 4

1. Cole Thompson – 94 points

2. Dylan Wright – 87 points

3. Matt Goerke – 82 points

OTHER KTM

8. Liam O’Farrell – 23 points

250 Pro Series Points – Round 2 of 4

1. Marshal Weltin – 93 points

2. Marco Cannella – 82 points

3. Tanner Ward – 82 points

OTHER KTM

4. Jyire Mitchell, 74

5. Guillaume St-Cyr, 64

7. Jeremy Mckie, 53

9. Quinn Amyotte, 50

Photos provided by James Lissimore

Si vous souhaitez obtenir une copie de ce communiqué de presse en français, veuillez envoyer un courriel électronique à marketingcanada@ktm.com.

Introducing the 2020 KTM FACTORY REPLICA STACYC 12eDRIVE and 16eDRIVE electric balance bikes. Joining the advanced electrically-powered 2021 KTM SX-E 5 and KTM FREERIDE E-XC, 2020 KTM FACTORY REPLICA STACYCs will enhance KTM’s e-mobility lineup and continue to grow the sport of motorcycling. 

This year has been unusual when it comes to racing due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Despite few events taking place, and those that do will likely be behind closed doors, KTM ensures that fans can stay READY TO RACE with the newly announced, ultra-limited KTM FAN PACKAGE.

Due to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, the 2020 KTM North America ADVENTURE RIDER RALLY has been postponed and will take place within 2021. With the health and safety at the forefront of our priorities for both attendees and staff, KTM North America, Inc. felt this a necessary action.

Anxiously awaiting for the next KTM ADVENTURE RIDER RALLY to take place, KTM North America, Inc. is keeping its focus on the launch of new motorcycles - such as the KTM 390 ADVENTURE - on US soil, while supporting its dealers as the weather becomes prime for riding season. In the meantime, we encourage you to get out and ride, explore and social distance on two wheels. We will continue to keep you informed as future KTM ADVENTURE RIDER RALLY plans develop.

We appreciate your patience as we navigate through this unprecedented time.