KTM Announces 2018 U.S. Supercross Team

KTM today announced its factory-sponsored riders for the 2018 season of AMA Supercross. Joining the reigning SX champ, Marvin Musquin, on the 450cc Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team squad will be Broc Tickle, the 250 SX West champion from 2011 who has also previously scored podiums in both the Supercross and Pro Motocross series aboard 450-class motocrossers.

The official KTM 250 factory team will be filled by four racers: Rookie Supercross racer Sean Cantrell will ride alongside Jordon Smith, joined by a pair of 250-class veterans, Shane McElrath and Alex Martin. The team will be overseen by the legendary Roger DeCoster and trained by fitness guru Aldon Baker.

Begin Press Release:

MURRIETA, Calif. – KTM announced its 2018 Supercross teams earlier today alongside the new KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION at a special event held at its new U.S. Supercross test facility – RD Field – in Murrieta, California. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM and Rocky Mountain ATV/MC – WPS – KTM teams and riders were unveiled, along with details of the highly anticipated, limited quantity KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION machine, which offers a range of new features and benefits.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team, which is overseen by the legendary Roger De Coster and trained by Aldon Baker, is looking forward to contesting the new KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in the new year. Musquin is joined by Broc Tickle, who won the 250 SX West Championship in 2011 and has enjoyed career podiums in both the Supercross and Pro Motocross series aboard 450 machinery.

For 2018 the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM team will again serve as the springboard for the sport’s rising stars as the official KTM 250 factory team. The team boasts a mixture of old and new with rookie Supercross racer Sean Cantrell, rising star Jordon Smith, and a pair of season 250 class veterans, Shane McElrath and Alex Martin, rounding out the team’s solid lineup. Jessy Nelson will continue working with the team as a brand ambassador whilst working with the TLD amateur riders thanks to his knowledge and experience as a professional racer. Tyler Keefe will continue to oversee the team’s running whilst working closely with KTM with the goal of a strong assault on both 250 SX classes, as well as the outdoors series.

The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC – WPS – KTM team, which will field two riders in the 450 class for both AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross next season, as well as two riders aboard 250cc machinery, continues its association with KTM for 2018. Following a strong season in the Pro Motocross series, where he held the points lead during some stages this season with overall wins that earned him third position by the end of the championship, Blake Baggett will once again line-up on KTM machinery to contest the 450 classes both indoors and outdoors. He is joined by Benny Bloss, who steps back up to the higher capacity class having shown great skill and incredible promise leading into his professional career. Dakota Alix, who enjoyed fill-in rides for injured competitors aboard the KTM 450 SX-F last season, will contest the 250 SX West Coast series and outdoor 250 motocross championship. Anthony Rodriguez from Venezuela will compete the 250 SX East Coast Championship, having enjoyed a strong amateur career in the US as well as strong results in the East Coast series over the last three seasons.

The 2018 AMA Supercross Championship begins on Saturday, January 6 with the Anaheim SX season opener. For more information, please visit www.ktm.com.