The 2025 Roof of Africa delivered three relentless days of hard enduro in the unforgiving Maluti Mountains, and Brother Leader Tread KTM rose to the summit of the sport’s most iconic challenge. In a history-making ride, James Moore powered his KTM 300 XC-W to victory in the Gold Class, ending Wade Young’s nine-year winning streak and bringing the coveted title back to the Brother Leader Tread KTM camp.

The “Mother of Hard Enduro” is widely known for testing both machine and rider through brutal terrain, altitude, and endless technical climbs. From the very first day, Moore set a fierce pace, navigating the rocky Lesotho highlands with a level of control and confidence that had fans and rivals talking. He carried this intensity across all three days, fighting off pressure from the sport’s biggest names and locking in a performance that will be remembered for years.

For Brother Leader Tread KTM, the win marks a monumental return to the top step of the Gold Class podium, a moment the team has been hungry for. Moore’s triumph is more than a victory at one of the toughest hard enduros on the planet; it is a reminder of the team’s heritage, ambition, and commitment to putting their riders on championship-winning machinery. The KTM 300 XC-W once again proved its pedigree: a champion bike beneath a champion rider.

James Moore reflected on the milestone moment in Lesotho: “Winning the Roof of Africa feels surreal. This race has been a childhood dream of mine ever since I first started riding and to finally stand on top of the podium is something I’ve imagined for years. I had to fight for it all the way to the finish and that battle is exactly what made this victory so special. I’m so grateful for the support from my team, my family and everyone who has supported me over the years. This is a moment I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Brother Leader Tread KTM Team Manager, Megan Prinsloo, praised Moore’s performance: “James showed why he belongs at the very top of this sport. He delivered an exceptional ride across all three days and handled every challenge the mountains threw at him. This victory means a great deal to the team and to the entire KTM family. It reminds all of us what’s possible when talent, preparation, and passion come together.”

Moore’s Roof of Africa Gold Title stands as a defining moment for the 2025 season and one that closes the racing calendar on the highest note imaginable. The Maluti Mountains asked the toughest questions, and it was the rider in KTM orange who answered them all. As the dust settles on an unforgettable year, Brother Leader Tread KTM looks ahead with renewed confidence and excitement for what next season may hold.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler has finished second overall at the Roof of Africa in Lesotho, bringing his 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship season to a strong close at the final round of this year’s series. Arriving as the newly crowned 2025 world champion after securing the title one round early at his home race in Germany, the KTM 300 EXC rider delivered three consistent days of racing to round out another exceptional year in hard enduro.

The event opened with Thursday’s Time Trial, where Lettenbichler set the second-fastest time on the two-lap course to secure a favorable start position for Friday. Day two proved more challenging, with the German ultimately placing 10th overall on the demanding Lesotho terrain heading into Saturday’s decisive final day of racing.

Saturday saw Mani return to form, completing the grueling five-hours in second place. Less than one minute separated him from the day’s fastest rider after an intense battle across rocky climbs, riverbeds, and high-mountain passes. With overall results decided on accumulated times across all three days, the Red Bull KTM rider concluded the weekend second overall, wrapping up the Roof of Africa on a high note.

Lettenbichler’s result in Lesotho closes out another outstanding season for the German rider, who successfully defended his FIM Hard Enduro World Championship title to become a five-time world champion. Next up for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is the opening round of the 2026 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, which takes place in Gliwice, Poland on December 13.

Manuel Lettenbichler: “That’s the 2025 season done! The first two days here at Roof of Africa were pretty mixed, I was second in the Time Trial and then 10th yesterday, so I knew I needed to make up time on the final day. The terrain this morning suited me a lot more and I was able to pull a bit of a gap, especially to a lot of the South African guys who did really well yesterday. After the first service check, though, it was quite technical and tiring which made it tougher. From then on, a couple of us rode to the finish together which was fun. It’s cool to finish the season at a great race and of course it felt good coming into this with the world title already wrapped up.”

The 2025 National Cross Country Championship came to an electrifying end at The Carousel in the North West, where the Husqvarna Racing Team delivered a standout final round. Davin Cocker and Luke Walker kept the pace high all day, each securing second place in their respective classes to close off a remarkable season.

The weekend also marked a massive milestone for Davin, who wrapped up both the Open Class and Overall National Cross Country Championships, capping off a year of consistent speed and top-tier performances! 

Reflecting on his championship-winning season, Davin Cocker shared, “What an unbelievable way to end the year. The track was fast and flowing that suited us well, and the team had my bike feeling spot-on. I knew what I needed to do to secure the titles, so I focused on riding smart and keeping it clean. Huge thanks to the entire Husqvarna Racing crew, everyone puts in so much effort behind the scenes. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved together this season.”

Luke Walker delivered a tight battle this weekend in a back-and-forth race with Matthew Wilson. He said, “That was proper racing from start to finish. Matthew and I were pushing hard the whole day and keeping the pressure on. The route was awesome, and my bike felt great from the first lap. I’m happy to end the season off on the podium, big credit to the team and my family for all the support. It’s been a great year of racing.”

Team Manager Kerim Fitz-Gerald expressed his pride in the squad’s effort, saying, “The guys showed real pace today and closed the season exactly how we hoped they would. Davin bringing home both the Open and Overall Championships is something incredibly special, and Luke had one of his strongest rides of the year. The whole team worked hard all season, and days like this are the reward. A huge thank-you to every supporter, family member, and our amazing sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to do it without all the love.”

A massive thank-you goes out to the entire Husqvarna Racing Team, the families and supporters who show up round after round, and all the sponsors who back the blue and white brigade. This truly is a team effort, and every success this season is shared with everyone who played a part.

The 2025 National Cross Country Championship came to a thrilling close at The Carousel in the North West this past weekend, where the Brother Leader Tread KTM team delivered a flawless final round. Scott Heygate, Matthew Wilson, and Kerim Fitz-Geral

d each stormed to victory in their classes. with Matthew and Kerim securing their championship titles in the process.

Adding to the orange glory, KTM also claimed the National Cross Country Manufacturer’s Title, sealing a powerhouse season in true Orange style.

Scott Heygate set the pace for the weekend with a controlled and confident ride that placed him firmly at the front of the race. Reflecting on his win, he said, “It was the perfect way to close out the season. My bike felt incredible from the start, and the team had everything dialled in for the conditions. I had a lot of fun out there! Huge thanks to the Brother Leader Tread KTM crew for the support throughout the year, ending the season with a win feels unreal.”

For Matthew Wilson, the final round was the ideal end to a standout year. He shared, “The final round was an absolute blast! I got a good time trial on Friday which set me up for a great race on Saturday. An amazing track was set out by GXCC and the team consisting of everything, the rain started to come down which made it even better! Thank you to everyone for such an amazing year, it wouldn’t be possible without all your support KTM South Africa and Uncle Kev! That’s the end of the 2025 season, looking forward to a good 2026 year!”

Kerim Fitz-Gerald wrapped up his season in dominant fashion, securing his championship title with another polished performance. He commented, “What a way to finish off the championship! The layout at The Carousel suited me perfectly, and once I found my pace, everything just clicked. The team has been unbelievable all season as usual, their effort behind the scenes makes days like this possible. I’m proud to bring the title home for KTM and extremely grateful for everyone who plays a part in getting us to the line each round.”

Team Manager Fitz-Gerald expressed immense pride in the squad’s all-round effort, saying, “This team has delivered something special this season. Every rider, every mechanic, and every person behind the scenes has played a part in making days like this possible. To walk away with race wins, championship titles, and the Manufacturer’s Championship is a massive achievement. The riders showed incredible focus today, and everyone behind the scenes backed them every step of the way. A huge thank-you to our sponsors and supporters, this success belongs to all of us! ”

A powerhouse season comes to a proud finish as KTM secures the top step. Built on passion, performance, and a united team, the 2025 campaign ends on the highest of highs. The Brother Leader Tread KTM team extends sincere thanks to all supporters, families, and partners who made this journey possible.

2025 MotoGP came to an end under blue skies in Valencia and on a bright note for Red Bull KTM as Pedro Acosta challenged for another GP podium and sealed 4th place in the world. The final Grand Prix of the season took place in front of a capacity crowd in eastern Spain and saw three KTM RC16s classify in the top ten as Brad Binder rode to P8 and Enea Bastianini posted P10 after 27 laps.

For the 27th time since 1999, MotoGP rounded the looping 4km layout at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, a short distance west of Valencia. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 entered the fray for the last time this season with 5th, 15th, 20th and 21st positions on the grid and with hopes for maximum points and podium contention.

Pedro Acosta was fractions of a second from Pole Position and obtained his sixth Sprint podium of the season on Saturday. The 21-year-old made another decent start for the Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. He found track space in P5 then glided up to P4 and hunted the rear wheel of P3; making the move on lap 19. Pedro couldn’t quite hold on during an intense duel to the flag but his P4 meant a fifth consecutive top five ranking. The checkered flag brought Acosta to 307 points and P4 in the standings. He also added five podiums to his CV in 2025.

Brad Binder made his customary flight through to the top ten, and mixed up the order pushing for 6th: an impressive barrel from P15 on the grid. Enea Bastianini was also very proactive just a few positions behind Brad. The Italian fought with two other factory bikes and made sure of six points for P10 at the end while Binder crossed the line in 8th.

Maverick Viñales accumulated more mileage in the latest rehab phase for his left shoulder. #12 raced for 23 laps trying to hit his lines and markers at the Ricardo Tormo. Maverick made three top five GP results in 2025: his first season with the KTM RC16.

The 2025 figures reveal a total of six MotoGP podiums for the Red Bull KTM teams including three runner-up places as well as one fastest lap. The quest to boost these figures further for 2026 begins on Tuesday at Valencia with the first IRTA test ahead of the new campaign.

Pedro Acosta, 4th and 4th in the championship standings:“It could have been better but we gave what we could. We really had to manage the tires today and we missed grip at the start. For how we started the championship then to come back to 4th is not too bad and we were consistently in the top five but it was still not enough. I learned a lot as a rider…but I want more. We’ll cross our fingers for the Tuesday test and we’ll see what we have but then we have time until the test in Sepang next year.”

Brad Binder, 8th and 11th in the championship standings: “I wanted more from today. I had a good start again, not quite like yesterday, but I wanted to pick-off more guys but I lacked a bit more pace and the best I could manage today was 8th. A tough year. I feel like I can do a lot better than I did. Things did not gel this season, even if we did make some small improvements at the end. I’m looking forward to Tuesday.”

Yamaha Motor Europe will compete in the inaugural FIM Sportbike World Championship with the R7 in 2026. 

A brand-new class for the 2026 season, the FIM Sportbike World Championship is introduced to the Superbike World Championship in place of the outgoing Supersport 300 Championship as the series’ entry level class. 

Yamaha’s R7 is already proven as a capable on track contender in multiple national-level R7 Cup series across Europe, as well as the Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR).

Fronting Yamaha’s charge in the all-new class will be Supersport 300 World Championship front-runner Carter Thompson, who narrowly missed out on securing the title in the final season of the 300 category. The Australian will join forces with the former World Championship-winning BR Corse team for 2026. 

Having dominated the 2025 FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup, Alessandro Di Persio, will step up to the FIM Sportbike Championship next season with the Arco Motor University Team.

Further Yamaha teams and riders are expected to be confirmed ahead of the season’s start.

Engineers from Yamaha Motor Europe Motorsport Research & Development have been working over recent months to develop a race kit for the R7 to meet the new WorldSPB regulations, and the package has already been tested on track in the proven hands of Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team rider Andrea Locatelli and reigning FIM Supersport World Champion Stefano Manzi. 

The inaugural FIM Sportbike World Championship will get underway at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão, Portugal between 27th – 29th March.

Stefano Manzi has been crowned 2025 FIM Supersport World Champion after securing a faultless and hard-fought Race 2 victory at the Circuito Estoril with one round remaining.

The Pata Ten Kate Racing Yamaha rider has enjoyed a dominant season in the first year of competition with the all new Yamaha R9. Victory in the opening race of the season in Phillip Island set the tone for what was to come, as a consistent and successful campaign saw Manzi build his points lead round by round.

After the first win in Australia, Manzi took five consecutive second place finishes. A streak without race victory didn’t deter the Italian, who returned to the top step in style with a double victory at home in Cremona.

Manzi’s 2025 win tally sits at ten wins so far, including four victories in a row at Balaton Park and Magny-Cours, where he overcame difficulties in both races to get the better of R9 rival Can Öncü.

18 times a podium finisher so far this year, Manzi built an insurmountable points lead of 82 with 2 races remaining to be crowned World Champion for the first time in Estoril, Portugal.

It has already been confirmed this will be Manzi’s last season in the Supersport class, with the 26 year old stepping up to WorldSBK with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team next year.

Stefano Manzi – Pata Ten Kate Racing Yamaha

“The feeling of becoming the 2025 World Supersport Champion is amazing. It’s difficult to find the words to describe how I feel in this moment, but after two years of trying, I was finally able to achieve this lifetime goal. When you start riding as a youngster, this is the moment you dream about. It’s also very special to have won the 2025 world championship aboard the Yamaha R9 in its first year of racing. Normally, with a brand new bike, winning is difficult in the first year. We were able to win both the Manufacturers’ and Riders World Supersport titles, which feels incredible. The support I have received from my team, Pata Ten Kate Racing Yamaha, has been overwhelming. They helped me both on and off the track and have been like a family to me over the years. If feels great to repay them with the 2025 title.”

It was a powerhouse performance to close off the National Motocross Championship season for the Red Bull KTM team, who wrapped things up in style at Terra Topia MX Club in Gauteng. The team put on a show of pure dominance, with an orange podium all around and multiple championship titles secured.

Cameron Durow delivered a flawless performance, storming to double wins in both MX1 and MX2 for the day. His incredible pace and control throughout the day sealed the deal for the MX1 National Championship title, marking his third consecutive championship win in the class. Durow once again proved why he’s the man to beat, showcasing relentless focus and a true championship mindset.

Cameron Durow commented on the year saying, “What an amazing way to end the season! It’s been a year of hard work, consistency, and teamwork, and to walk away with another MX1 Championship feels incredible. The Red Bull KTM team has been unbelievable all year, and I couldn’t have done it without their support. Ending the season with another championship in the bag is the best way to thank everyone who’s been behind me.”

Luke Grundy wrapped up an incredible year by claiming the 2025 MX2 National Motocross Championship title. Grundy capped off his season with a calculated ride to 8th on the day, doing exactly what was needed to lock in his first-ever National MX2 crown. “Becoming the 2025 MX2 South African Champion still feels unreal!” Grundy beamed. “It’s been a long, tough season with its highs and lows, but I couldn’t have done it without the amazing people and team behind me,” he continued. “Huge thanks to Red Bull KTM South Africa for giving me everything I needed to make this happen. I’m so proud to bring this one home. Here’s to another year of fighting for glory!”

Adding to the team’s success, Trey Cox continued his winning streak, charging to another class victory and securing back-to-back National titles in the MX High School class. Cox also impressed with a strong 4th place finish in MX2, rounding off what has been an exceptional rookie season in the senior ranks. Trey Cox stated, “It was a great way to end the season! I went 1–3 in the 125 class for the overall win, even after a crash in Moto 2. In MX2 I finished 4–5 for 4th overall, not quite what I wanted, but it’s all part of the learning curve in my rookie year. I’m so proud to be a three-time SA Champion, and to see all the hard work pay off is incredibly rewarding. A huge thank you to the Red Bull KTM team and everyone who’s helped me get here.”

The Red Bull KTM team couldn’t have asked for a better way to close the season, a true statement of strength, dedication, and teamwork.

Stefano Manzi has been crowned 2025 FIM Supersport World Champion after securing a faultless and hard-fought Race 2 victory at the Circuito Estoril with one round remaining.

The Pata Ten Kate Racing Yamaha rider has enjoyed a dominant season in the first year of competition with the all new Yamaha R9. Victory in the opening race of the season in Phillip Island set the tone for what was to come, as a consistent and successful campaign saw Manzi build his points lead round by round.

After the first win in Australia, Manzi took five consecutive second place finishes. A streak without race victory didn’t deter the Italian, who returned to the top step in style with a double victory at home in Cremona.

Manzi’s 2025 win tally sits at ten wins so far, including four victories in a row at Balaton Park and Magny-Cours, where he overcame difficulties in both races to get the better of R9 rival Can Öncü.

18 times a podium finisher so far this year, Manzi built an insurmountable points lead of 82 with 2 races remaining to be crowned World Champion for the first time in Estoril, Portugal.

It has already been confirmed this will be Manzi’s last season in the Supersport class, with the 26 year old stepping up to WorldSBK with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team next year.

Stefano Manzi – Pata Ten Kate Racing Yamaha

“The feeling of becoming the 2025 World Supersport Champion is amazing. It’s difficult to find the words to describe how I feel in this moment, but after two years of trying, I was finally able to achieve this lifetime goal. When you start riding as a youngster, this is the moment you dream about. It’s also very special to have won the 2025 world championship aboard the Yamaha R9 in its first year of racing. Normally, with a brand new bike, winning is difficult in the first year. We were able to win both the Manufacturers’ and Riders World Supersport titles, which feels incredible. The support I have received from my team, Pata Ten Kate Racing Yamaha, has been overwhelming. They helped me both on and off the track and have been like a family to me over the years. If feels great to repay them with the 2025 title.”

For the first time since the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix, the factory Honda HRC team stepped onto the premier class podium as Joan Mir’s years of hard work and focus were rewarded with third place on Sunday in Motegi. Luca Marini suffered his first DNF of the year.

A fantastic day in Motegi saw Joan Mir and Honda HRC Castrol deliver on the ever-growing potential they have shown not just this season, but since the 2020 MotoGP World Champion joined the factory team in 2023. As in the Sprint, Mir fought for every position and quickly overcame an early mistake to close down Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta. The trio would give no quarter as they battled until the middle of the race, Mir getting the better of Acosta and easily holding off a late run from Marco Bezzecchi.

Cheers erupted inside the Honda HRC Castrol garage as Joan Mir returned the factory team to the podium, his first as a rider since the Algarve Grand Prix in 2021. With a multitude of Honda Motor and HRC management and staff in attendance for Honda’s home race, the podium could not have come at a better time. The result is another welcome boost for both the #36 and the entirety of Honda HRC, a tangible reward for the efforts put in. This is the first Japanese GP podium of Mir’s Grand Prix career.

Luca Marini’s Japanese GP would unfortunately follow a very different trajectory as a technical issue ruled him out after just a few laps when he returned to the pits. Honda HRC engineers will confirm the issue ahead of the Indonesian Grand Prix next week. The DNF brings Marini’s perfect race start to point-scoring finishes ratio to an end. He remains positive and focused on returning to where the Honda RC213V has shown it can be in the coming races.

The MotoGP World Championship now travels directly to Lombok, Indonesia for the Indonesia Grand Prix at the Mandalika Circuit.

Honda HRC would like to extend their most enthusiastic congratulations to Marc Marquez on winning the 2025 MotoGP World Championship. The result cements an incredible return from a multi-year injury ordeal, highlighting his truly unique mentality and approach to racing.

Joan Mir  ³⁶

“What a weekend! A perfect one, honestly. I was so close to the pole position yesterday, I was so close to the podium yesterday but missed both – today I had to take the chance to get the podium! I knew it would be hard because the long race you have to control everything perfectly. I was attacking under brakes a lot to save the tyres and then in the second half of the race I was able to open a gap and manage, even closing down Marc in front. Just fantastic, super happy for myself and for Honda. After what we have been through, to get this first podium especially here in Japan, it is really special. It has been a long time for myself and Honda to have a moment like this and sometimes you struggle a bit with motivation but this confirms that everything we do is worth it and I am really excited to go to Lombok now – we need to continue this moment.”