Another exciting race under the Lusail floodlights as the Repsol Honda Team earned a double point scoring finish with Marc Marquez and Joan Mir battling until the very end.

Almost every lap of the 22-lap Qatar Grand Prix saw a flurry of hard passes up and down the grid, the Repsol Honda Team pairing of Marc Marquez and Joan Mir featuring throughout. Rocketing off the line as in the Sprint, Marc Marquez immediately put himself into the mix as he exited Turn One in fifth place. Defending as hard as ever, the eight-time World Champion held his own in the opening laps of the race. As the competition heated up, the #93 found himself under increasing pressure from those behind as the likes of Binder and Viñales hounded him.

Initially dropping back, Marquez rallied in the closing stages of the race to fight with championship contender Jorge Martin for tenth position. Martin’s teammate Zarco joined their battle, Marquez fortunate to avoid crashing after a big impact from the French rider in the final lap. 0.1s shy of Martin at the line, Marquez gave his all until the chequered flag and took 11th place.

On the other side of the Repsol Honda Team garage, Joan Mir was able to put together a solid recovery from 20th on the grid. Getting a solid launch as the lights went out, Mir was immediately able to gain a handful of positions and began closing in on the points. Matching the pace of the top five on track, the 2020 MotoGP World Champion continued his progress and made his way deeper into the point scoring positions. Passing the likes of Morbidelli and Augusto Fernandez, Mir pushed until the final lap to close the distance on Bezzecchi before crossing the line in 14th spot and some four seconds behind his teammate. Returning to the points, it was a confidence building result for the #36.

Now just one more stop remains on the 2023 MotoGP World Championship calendar, the Valencia GP, November 24 – 26. The weekend will not only see the World Championship decided but will also see Marc Marquez’s current sting in the Repsol Honda Team come to a close. Everyone involved remains unwaveringly committed until the end.

The penultimate round of a long MotoGP season and a relentless second phase of the campaign saw Brad Binder take his KTM RC16 to 5th position through the Qatari night air and at a glistening Lusail International Circuit. The South African pushed to the limit to rise as high as 3rd and then had to nurse his front tire to the top five. The second event of the final triple-header also saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jack Miller earn a creditable 9th on a difficult track for consistent grip and performance.

• In the three-race Malaysia-Qatar-Spain run, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing make more progress and bag Grand Prix points at what was a tricky circuit for the team
• Thanks to points in the Saturday Sprint and on Sunday, Brad Binder is confirmed as the 4th best rider in the world championship standings for 2023; his top ranking in his fourth season in the premier class
• Jack Miller rides to his twelfth top ten result of his first season in Red Bull KTM colors and with a hard battle to make sure of 9th by the end of the 22-laps
• Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Deniz Öncü recovers brilliantly to finish 3rd on the Moto3™ podium and in a first three divided by less than two tenths of a second
• 2023 Moto2™ world champion Pedro Acosta takes 8th in another excellent year for Red Bull KTM Ajo who confirm their fourth Teams title in the category and third in a row

The immense lighting system, the remodeled infrastructure and presentation, the fast, flowing and challenging 5.4km, 16-corner layout, the desert setting and nighttime spectacle: very few events have the look, feel and character of the Qatar Grand Prix. Red Bull KTM already had a taste of the unique grip but high abrasion demands of the Lusail tarmac on Saturday but the 22 laps of the full Grand Prix on Sunday was another task.

Brad Binder and Jack Miller set off from 10th and 15th places on the grid and hopeful of mods for optimum performance throughout the 22-laps. It was Binder who was unsurprisingly higher up the order in the opening exchanges as Miller strived to regain places and mileage to near the top ten. Brad pushed and probed his way into 3rd and then valiantly tried to hold the slot as his front tire grip began to fade. He ended the race 5th and less than three seconds from the third step of the podium. Jack set some of his hottest pace of the weekend to close down riders and make moves up to 9th.

When the checkered flag waved, and fantastic LED displays started to flicker Binder’s 11 points further hammered home his 4th place for 2023 while Miller’s standing of 11th in the championship can still be converted into 9th. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing are likely to confirm 4th in the Teams standings while KTM hold 2nd in the Constructors contest.

The Circuito de Ricardo Tormo brings the 2023 season to a conclusion where KTM’s MotoGP adventure began with a wildcard appearance in 2016, where they celebrated their maiden podium in 2018 and where Binder achieved runner-up distinction in 2022. Valencia is once more the scene for the final Grand Prix of the year and the latest ever finale to the world championship. Round twenty takes place next weekend.

A packed and spectacular 40th Paris Supercross - Europe’s biggest, oldest and most prestigious SX annual event- was a fitting stage for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle to display his burgeoning ‘indoor’ skills as he took his works KTM 250 SX-F to 2nd in the SX2 class in the French capital.

• Tom Vialle stars at the famous French meeting and for the second time on home soil after his victorious efforts for Team France at the Motocross of Nations one month previously
• The former double MX2 Motocross World Champion closes his first calendar year in AMA Supercross and Motocross competition with an international appearance and a comprehensive display to record top two results in four of the six outings
• Vialle now readies for 2024 in the USA and for his second attempt at the 250SX class with round one taking place at the Angel Stadium, Anaheim on January 6th

The Defense Arena to the western center of Paris again staged the Paris Supercross and for a bumper entry list and attendance for the 40th running of the flagship winter fixture. Among the stars negotiating a technical and slick track was Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle who was able to apply all his experience and learning from a rookie SX term in 2023.

Vialle, fresh from glory at the Motocross of Nations (also in France, at Ernee), took the opportunity in Paris to perform in front of his fans but also continue his training and prep for forthcoming 2024 supercross. On Saturday night he took 8-2-1 finishes to finish 3rd overall for the evening and after tweaking his suspension set-up. On Sunday afternoon Vialle produced more consistency to confirm the runner-up spot overall.

Tom Vialle: “The first day was OK. I had a small crash in the first heat but the second and third was way-better. I was a bit happier on Sunday. We had some great racing with Jo Shimoda. A pretty cool experience to be here! It was really nice to hear all the fans. A nice atmosphere. We know where we need to work, both on the bike and me personally. We have seen a few things to try so we’ll fly back to California next week for that. I cannot wait to be back here in Paris next year.”

Yamaha Motor Europe is thrilled to announce the addition of Dutch sensation Lotte van Drunen to the Yamaha Family for the upcoming 2024 FIM Women's Motocross World Championship season and beyond.

Van Drunen first captured the world's attention in 2018 when she fearlessly competed against male riders in the 65cc class at the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship. Her remarkable talent shone through as she secured a fourth-place finish. She continued to impress in 2019, claiming an incredible third place before transitioning to the 85cc category.

In 2021, van Drunen once again showcased her skills by securing a remarkable third place in the European Championship EMX85 class while competing against her male counterparts. Despite the challenges faced during the highly competitive EMX125 series in 2022, the youngster made her WMX debut after reaching the minimum age requirement, 15, in August and finished an impressive seventh in her first appearance at the final round of the season.

Recognizing the need to ride a 250cc four-stroke to be competitive inside the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, WMX, van Drunen made a significant switch from a 125cc two-stroke to a 250cc four-stroke at the end of 2022. In 2023, she embarked on her first full season in WMX and immediately made an impact. With four race wins and three podium finishes, including a thrilling victory on home soil in The Netherlands, van Drunen ended her rookie season ranked third in the world, despite being the youngest rider on the gate.

Joining the Yamaha Family marks an exciting new chapter in van Drunen's career. The now 16-year-old, known by her #401, will compete in the WMX World Championship aboard a GYTR kitted YZ250F with support from the De Baets Yamaha Supported MX team. In addition, the Dutch prodigy will receive further support from Yamaha and is set to make her debut in blue at Mini O’s in the United States later this month. There, she will race SX Women, SX 250B, MX Women and MX 250B with the support of Yamaha Motor USA and The National Sheriff’s Association Factory Yamaha Amateur Team.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing are pleased to announce that Sacha Coenen has inked a multi-year extension to his factory contract to remain a significant part of the company’s MXGP line-up.

The fast and fearless teenager (who turned 17 years old on November 9th) will continue his professional development under the watchful gaze of former world champion Joel Smets, Team Co-Ordinator Harry Norton and the rest of the Red Bull KTM factory crew; a squad that have won seven of the last eight MX2 titles.

2024 will be the Belgian’s second term in the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship. 2023 was his debut season and he achieved ten top ten moto results with a best overall classification of 6th at the Swedish Grand Prix. ’23 was a classic learning experience for the rookie with impressive speed and excellent starts often countered by small slips and several disruptive injuries. Coenen completed his education through his longest competitive year to-date and with a vast array of tracks, terrain and conditions to master as part of the MX2 elite.

For 2024 Coenen will form part of a strong Red Bull KTM roster. 2023 MX2 World Champion Andrea Adamo and 4th placed finisher Liam Everts will also contest the MX2 division with the KTM 250 SX-F while Jeffrey Herlings will steer the KTM 450 SX-F in the MXGP category. The ’24 FIM Motocross World Championship begins with the Grand Prix of Argentina at Neuquen on March 10th.

Sacha Coenen: “I’m really looking forward to next year already as well as the future seasons. This year was a big learning experience for me but great for building a relationship with the team and the guys. It was difficult at times and I couldn’t always deliver the results I wanted but we had some good races, I tried hard and had some nice starts as well. I want to have a good winter, working more with my Dad and brother, and look for more consistency next season. Then we’ll see what we can do on the track.”

A subdued end to a tricky weekend for the Repsol Honda Team as Marc Marquez returned to the points and Joan Mir suffered an unfortunate early crash after a promising start.

Threats of rain throughout the weekend would ultimately remain at simply that, the circuit staying dry during the entire weekend of premier class running. The brief ten minute Warm Up session offered the Repsol Honda Team a final chance to assess their setup before diving into the race later in the afternoon.

From 20th, Marc Marquez made another aggressive start to the race and found himself fighting for points from the first lap. As the processional Malaysian Grand Prix unfolded, Marquez briefly battled with his teammate before settling into a largely lonesome race. Avoiding risks, the #93 was able to bring his Honda RC213V home in 13th place and leave Malaysia ready for the final two races of the year.

Joan Mir had made a similar start to the 20-lap race as his Repsol Honda Team teammate and the pair were running together on track in the early stages. A moment at Turn 4 would see the #36 fall from the race, avoiding injury, but unable to continue. Disappointment for the 2020 MotoGP World Champion, his pace from the early laps certainly strong enough to score points. As always, Mir remains focused on the positives – pleased to have been able to match his teammate’s speed.

Now the Repsol Honda Team will pack the garage and move onto the next challenge: Qatar – the penultimate GP of the year.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Pedro Acosta has clinched the 2023 Moto2 world championship two rounds before the end of the current season to extend his phenomenal march through the MotoGP™ pyramid. The 19-year-old Spaniard now has two world titles in different categories after just three years in Grand Prix racing.

Having decimated the 2020 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, Acosta made an emphatic leap to Moto3™ as part of the KTM GP Academy in 2021; winning his debut Grand Prix in Qatar and then accumulating five further triumphs and seven more podiums to rule the division at the first attempt.

He moved to Moto2 for 2022 and took just eight rounds to ace the first of three GPs that term. Acosta suffered a leg break but recovered to finish 5th in the championship as Rookie of the Year. Another season older and wiser, Acosta racked-up seven successes in 2023 (a total of 16 trophies in less than two years) to arrive within touching distance of his second title and achieved the distinction with the runner-up slot at the Sepang International Circuit and round eighteen of twenty (his 14th podium of the season).

Acosta is already confirmed for a MotoGP saddle in 2024 and no other rider has reached the premier class so quickly with so much success. He will be one of just two racers on the ’24 grid to have captured championships both in Moto3 and Moto2. #37 has competed in just over 50 Grands Prix. He has almost a 50% podium record (now 26 pieces of silverware) and 16 wins to his credit.

Aki Ajo’s Moto2 structure have helped two of the current Pierer Mobility Group MotoGP racers to Grand Prix victory and will add a third with Acosta’s 2024 promotion. They have also assisted four more presently active riders in MotoGP to the same status. The team has been lauded as Moto2 world champions in 2021, 2022 and now 2023. They are in a strong position for their third consecutive Moto2 Teams Championship.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia has secured overall individual victory at the 2023 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE). Riding his KTM 250 EXC-F, the reigning Enduro1 World Champion dominated proceedings in Argentina to claim his third consecutive individual ISDE crown.

Based in San Juan, Argentina, the 97th edition of the iconic International Six Days Enduro saw over 340 competitors from 30 countries take on the dusty, rocky Argentinian terrain. With temperatures in the region touching 40 degrees, the 2023 event proved incredibly challenging, right from day one.

Despite the severity of the weather, and the grueling special tests, Garcia immediately felt comfortable racing in the heat and, after a steady start on day one, got his head down and won five of the six tests to secure an early lead in the overall individual timings.

Day two didn’t quite go the way of the Spaniard. A number of crashes cost him several valuable seconds and Garcia was forced to settle for second place, finishing just over 16 seconds behind closest rival Andrea Verona.

But on day three, Josep was back on top, taking the win by just over 17 seconds. Further wins on days four and five saw Garcia increase his advantage over Verona to just over one minute – a healthy cushion going into Saturday and the last day of competition.

The final day’s motocross went perfectly for Garcia. Taking an early lead on lap one, he was able to stay ahead of the chasing pack and out of the dust raised by the 38 riders behind. Managing much of the race perfectly from the front, Josep was passed on the penultimate lap by FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Dante Oliveira but ultimately brought his Red Bull KTM home safely in second place. In doing so he secured a hat-trick of overall individual ISDE wins.

Josep Garcia: “It’s been a dream come true once again. It feels amazing to take my third overall win at the ISDE. Of course, I’m sad for team Spain, we weren’t able to do it this year, but for myself, I’m super happy. The whole week has been great, and I’ve had some really close battles with Andrea (Verona). And then in the final motocross, I hit the holeshot with the 250 – I didn’t expect that at all with the other, bigger bikes on the line. Then I was able to stay out front for most of the moto, but Dante (Oliveira) on his 450 was able to get past. After that, I just tried to keep calm, finish the race, and take the overall win. Now it's time to relax and celebrate with the team – it’s been a really tough week.”

The hotly contested World Trophy category went to the United States, helped in part by the FMF KTM Factory Racing trio of Taylor Robert, Dante Oliveira, and Johnny Girroir. The three Americans also delivered excellent results in the individual standings, with Oliveira finishing on the podium in third, Robert just over one-minute behind in fourth, and Girroir completing the top five.

The United States team dominated the Women’s World Trophy too, with experienced KTM racer Brandy Richards leading the efforts. Richards also topped the women’s individual class, taking the win by over 10 minutes despite carrying an injury for the final two days of racing.

Along with Garcia, Oliveira and Robert also brought home the Manufacturer’s Team Award for KTM, capping off a highly successful ISDE for the KTM factory teams.

For 2024, the FIM International Six Days Enduro heads to Spain where, on home soil, Garcia will be aiming to make it an exceptional four individual ISDE wins in a row.

As the National Motocross Championship season drew to a close at Chestnut Hill this weekend, Husqvarna Racings, Barend du Toit,  had all eyes on him stealing the show!  Du Toit undoubtedly raced his heart out, leaving everything out on the track, and took a 1-1 win in the high school class. 

In a whirlwind year filled with twists and turns, the young dynamo, Du Toit, set the track alight in the final round, proving the true extent of his incredible capabilities. With visible excitement Du Toit commented, “I'm thrilled to end the year off with a double victory in the high school class, setting the stage for an incredible year ahead!”. He continued to say, “I am extremely excited and confident for 2024 and what lies ahead.”

Adding to the excitement of the day teammates, Davin Cocker and Josh Mlimi, showcased an electrifying spectacle in the MX1 class, going in for a bar-to-bar battle in the final round. The two gave it their absolute all showing that they are forces to be reckoned with in the Motocross world.

They pushed each other to their limits, proving that their competitive spirit is matched only by their mutual respect and determination to be excellent. 

With Cocker competing both in the MX1 and MX2 classes he had quite the day behind him. Commenting on the day he said. “The last round of the National MX was a blast, I had some great battles and managed to get 4th in both heats for the MX2 class. I’m happy with my riding and can’t wait to get back out on the track next year for some more epic battles.”

Mlimi commented, “Final round done and dusted, got 4-4 for the day was all I had. Didn’t quite ride like myself all day but had a great showdown with Davin. Nonetheless happy to wrap the season up healthy and safe. A lot learnt in my first full season on the FC450. Looking forward to building and getting better for 2024” 

“It’s been a roller-coaster ride this whole year for the Husqvarna Racing Motocross team and the last round was no different. Our stand-out performance was Barend in the 125 class with his dominant 1-1 performance but I am proud of all the riders and the determination they showed fighting right up until the final chequered flag.” Commented Grant Frerichs, Group Marketing Manager. 

GASGAS South Africa is roaring into the limelight with a monumental announcement set to redefine the pulse-pounding world of Enduro racing. You guessed it… GASGAS South Africa will be lining up for the 2024 Enduro racing season for the very first time with the 'not-so-new kid on the block.' Spearheading this exhilarating journey is the talented Heinrich Aust, who will lead the charge as the first member of the GASGAS South Africa Enduro factory team.

No stranger to the sport and its supporters, Aust will be firing on all cylinders in red for the 2024 racing season in the E2 class on the GASGAS EC300. Aust is an exceptionally seasoned Enduro athlete who will bring a wealth of experience and skill to the team. He embodies the spirit of the sport, making him an ideal choice to trailblaze this new chapter for the brand. We caught up with the rider to discuss being part of the new team and his thoughts on the 2024 season.

How does it feel to be one of the first athletes on the all-new GASGAS Enduro team?
"I am incredibly honoured to be a part of the GASGAS South Africa family and to lead their first-ever factory team in the Enduro-discipline. I’m very excited and chuffed for this new chapter that lies ahead."

How does this change align with your career goals and aspirations?
"Embracing this opportunity to join such a supportive team perfectly aligns with my overarching career goals, offering the ideal platform to propel me toward fulfilling my professional aspirations. "

Starting this new team as the first guy on the official GASGAS team, what do you hope to bring to this new team?
"As the first rider on the GASGAS team, my aim is to make every moment count, staying determined throughout the season to remember what my goals are. I aspire to set an excellent standard and contribute positively to the team's dynamics."

What are your bigger, long-term goals as an Enduro rider?
"My biggest goal is to one day compete in the prestigious (WES) World Enduro Series."

Coming from your first E1 win this year, what are the greatest lessons from the 2023 season that could help you secure the Enduro Championship title again in 2024?
"The greatest lesson I’ve learned in the run for the championship glory in 2023 is that there will always be ups and downs during the racing season. It's crucial to keep your head held high, keep going, and always remember that consistency is key."

Group Marketing Manager, Grant Frerich, commented on this announcement for GASGAS stating, “We are so thrilled to get the ball rolling on the GASGAS factory racing effort with Heinrich onboard the EC300. Heinrich has proven himself as both an Enduro and Hard Enduro rider and we believe he will be a competitor once again for overall glory next year. We look to grow the team from strength to strength as we show our commitment to the GASGAS brand moving through 2024 and beyond.”