KTM 250 in 2027: DiFrancesco and Bennick join Coenen
The newsroomUpdated on October 15, 20263 minRed Bull KTM signs Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick for 2027, growing its 250 team to four riders alongside Sacha Coenen and Julien Beaumer. The details.
Key point
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing signs Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick for 2027 and fields four riders in the 250 class, with Julien Beaumer and Belgium's Sacha Coenen.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has confirmed the arrival of Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick for the 2027 supercross and motocross season. The two Americans join Julien Beaumer and Belgium's Sacha Coenen, taking the factory 250 programme to four riders.
Two top 250 riders
Ryder DiFrancesco, 21, from California, finished 2026 as runner-up in the 250SMX World Championship. He was also fifth in the 250 Pro Motocross standings and fourth in the 250SX Western Division. His first 250SX podium came at Anaheim 1.
Daxton Bennick, 20, from North Carolina, ended third in the 250SX East standings. He took his first 250SMX podium at the first SMX playoff round in Columbus. He came up through the KTM Orange Brigade amateur programme before turning professional.
A younger 250 line-up
Around them, the squad includes:
- Julien Beaumer, 20, starting his fourth season with the team, with his contract extended through 2027 and beyond;
- Sacha Coenen, 19, from Belgium, who arrives from the MX2 World Championship where he finished third in 2026.
All four will ride the KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition in AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and the SMX Finals. Nathan Ramsey, manager of the 250 team, calls it a young, strong group that can contend for the title in 2027.
The 450 side
The 450 team features reigning SMX World Champion Jorge Prado and new recruit Lucas Coenen. Ian Harrison, who manages that team, sees the expanded 250 programme as proof of KTM's "Ready to Race" commitment.
Why the move
According to MX2K, DiFrancesco and Bennick came from the Husqvarna factory team, and KTM has ended that factory effort, which explains the switch. Both riders say they want to win: DiFrancesco talks of one of the top teams in the paddock, Bennick of a long-held dream.
Next date
The expanded programme makes its competitive debut at the opening round of the 2027 AMA Supercross Championship in Anaheim on 9 January 2027. Follow all the supercross and motocross news on karrazmotorsport.com.
Frequently asked questions
Who joins Red Bull KTM in the 250 class for 2027?
Ryder DiFrancesco (21) and Daxton Bennick (20) join Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen in a 250 programme expanded to four riders.
When will they first race in these colours?
The opening round of the 2027 AMA Supercross Championship is held in Anaheim, California, on 9 January 2027.
Why are DiFrancesco and Bennick leaving Husqvarna?
According to MX2K, KTM has ended its factory effort at Husqvarna, which explains their move.
Sources
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
Newsletter · free
The Friday paddock
The essentials of motorsport, every Friday in your inbox. Free, one email a week.
Choose my categories
