News 30 Aug 2024

Sexton expresses interest in future 'bucket list' MXGP transfer

Will consider spending a full season or two in Europe during his career.

Image: Octopi Media.

Already an AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross champion, Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton has expressed interest in spending a ‘bucket list’ season or two in the MXGP World Championship during the later stages of his career.

Sexton, still only 24, this year delivered KTM its first 450MX crown since Ryan Dungey a decade ago and is quickly establishing himself as one of the most accomplished racers of his generation in America.

While the obvious goal for him is to clinch a second 450SX title to place alongside his championship trophy won with Team Honda HRC in 2023, Sexton’s motocross capabilities have elevated dramatically since stepping up to the premier class five seasons ago – this year winning seven rounds on his way to a maiden outdoor title.

Discussions took place about Sexton potentially contesting this year’s MXGP of Castilla la Mancha, the Spanish-based final round to be held in Cozar the week prior to Matterley Basin’s 2024 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) where Sexton will represent Team USA alongside KTM teammate Aaron Plessinger and Honda’s Chance Hymas.

While that won’t eventuate following the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Finals, he isn’t ruling out a potential full-time transfer in the future – a move that would see him become the highest profile American since Ryan Villopoto in 2015 to attempt grand prix racing.

“There was talks about possibly racing the last GP, but it’s a long season, and it’s just a lot of racing,” Sexton revealed. “If it was this weekend and we just came off outdoors, maybe it’s a little bit different story, but coming off SMX I’ll be racing supercross – hopping back on outdoors and going straight in [MXGP] probably wouldn’t work.

“Who knows, maybe if Pit [Beirer] and Ian [Harrison] would allow me to go and race in MXGP one day, that would be awesome. In the future, I actually wouldn’t mind racing a full year of MXGP or two years. That’s kind of on my bucket list, so we’ll see what the bosses say.”

KTM motorsports director Beirer was on the call with Sexton as part of a post-season media debrief to generate further international interest in his 2024 Pro Motocross crown, directly responding to the Illinois native’s long-term desire to race grands prix.

“We need you in the US for a little while, my friend,” he said. “It’s no problem, but I think you have some targets in the US. Of course, we are maybe the best partner if you want to swap between Europe and America – that’s all possible. Let’s focus for now on the next Supercross title.”

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