During the unveiling of its 2018 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition, KTM also confirmed its 2018 KTM supercross and motocross teams.
The Austrian brand will be represented by two factory and one factory satellite team for its 2018 KTM supercross and motocross effort. Of course, the lead effort is the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team, which is managed by five-time World Motocross Champion and AMA Hall of Famer Roger De Coster and trained by Aldon Baker. Marvin Musquin, the 2017 Lucas Oil 450cc Pro Motocross Championship runner-up, and currently the hottest rider in the supercross events that serve as a prelude to the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, is joined in 2018 by Broc Tickle, who comes aboard on the wake of the retirement of multi-time AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross champion Ryan Dungey. Tickle won the Monster Energy AMA 250 SX West Championship in 2011 and has scored career podiums in both the Supercross and Pro Motocross series on a 450. Tickle moves over from the now-defunct RCH Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team.
Once again handling the 250cc effort for KTM in the United States, the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM team will field a mix of veterans and rookies, as Shane McElrath and Alex Martin return to the team, joined by Jordon Smith and rookie Sean Cantrell. Former team member Jessy Nelson temains with the team as a brand ambassador while also working with TLD-backed amateur riders. Tyler Keefe remains as the team manager.
As part of its 2018 KTM supercross and motocross program, the company will also continue its support of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC–WPS–KTM team, which will field two riders in the 450cc class and two riders in the 250cc class for both the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series and the 2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Blake Baggett will once again contest the 450cc class in both series. Baggett was arguably the surprise of the 450cc class in 2017, where he battled his way into the series points lead and remained a championship contender en route to finishing third in the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Benny Bloss returns to the team but steps up from the 250cc class to the 450cc class in 2018. Dakota Alix will contest the Monster Energy AMA 250 SX West series and Lucas Oil 250cc Pro Motocross Championship . Anthony Rodriguez from Venezuela will compete the 250 SX East series. Rodrigues has posted solid finishes in the East series during the past three seasons.
The 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship kicks off Saturday, January 6, with the Anaheim SX season opener. For more information, visit www.ktm.com.
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