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Supercross & Motocross
AMA MX: Orange Ascension
In just a single season, the addition of Ryan Dungey has transformed KTM from an underdog to a powerhouse.
Red Bull/KTM's Ryan Dungey (Photo: Hoppenworld.com)
Blue, green, red, and yellow -- they are the colors synonymous with the premier brands in the world of motocross. The familiar rich blue of Yamaha, the iconic neon green of Kawasaki, the hard-to-miss red of Honda, and the bright yellow of Suzuki. It’s an easy and familiar way to differentiate brands and has long been the foundation for rider-to-rider battles as each OEM invests millions every year with the goal of being the best.
These four Japanese manufacturers have been a constant for over 40 years of racing, but a new contender has emerged from Europe and with its own recognizable color: orange.
KTM is no stranger to this highly-competitive landscape and by no means a newcomer. However, in the two seasons that the factory team has been helmed by Roger DeCoster, the brand has taken tremendous strides, thanks to key rider moves and KTM's huge investment to improve its American program.
Overseas there currently may not be a more dominant bike than these orange machines. Antonio Cairoli is on his way to a third consecutive MX1 title aboard a KTM, while Jeffrey Herlings is in line to give the brand its fifth straight MX2 championship and ninth title over the last 13 seasons. And Stefan Everts -- the greatest rider of all time in Europe and one of the most successful riders in history regardless of series -- serves as KTM’s race director, virtually the same role filled by DeCoster Stateside and carries a similar presence in the European paddock.
It's hard to argue with the success that resulted from the template that KTM established in Europe. And after years of being seen simply as the fifth manufacturer in the States, they pulled out all the stops prior to the 2011 season with the aim of replicating that success.
The past triumphs that KTM enjoyed in American motocross were relatively few and far between. Arenacross veteran Kelly Smith captured the brand's first-ever win on U.S. soil with a big day aboard a 125cc machine during the 2000 season. The following year was arguably KTM’s most successful prior to 2012, with Grant Langston winning five races and finishing second to Mike Brown in the 125cc championship. Two years later, Langston gave KTM its only previous championship, taking the 125cc crown despite not winning a single race that season. His teammate, Ryan Hughes, helped give KTM a 1-2 finish at season’s end.
With an established presence in the competitive landscape of the U.S., KTM looked to rising star Mike Alessi to turn it into a consistent title threat. In two seasons at the Motocross Lites level, Alessi performed well, grabbing three wins and finishing second to Ryan Villopoto in 2006. He made the move to the premier class in 2007 and represented the brand’s best chance of achieving success at the highest level.
These four Japanese manufacturers have been a constant for over 40 years of racing, but a new contender has emerged from Europe and with its own recognizable color: orange.
KTM is no stranger to this highly-competitive landscape and by no means a newcomer. However, in the two seasons that the factory team has been helmed by Roger DeCoster, the brand has taken tremendous strides, thanks to key rider moves and KTM's huge investment to improve its American program.
Overseas there currently may not be a more dominant bike than these orange machines. Antonio Cairoli is on his way to a third consecutive MX1 title aboard a KTM, while Jeffrey Herlings is in line to give the brand its fifth straight MX2 championship and ninth title over the last 13 seasons. And Stefan Everts -- the greatest rider of all time in Europe and one of the most successful riders in history regardless of series -- serves as KTM’s race director, virtually the same role filled by DeCoster Stateside and carries a similar presence in the European paddock.
It's hard to argue with the success that resulted from the template that KTM established in Europe. And after years of being seen simply as the fifth manufacturer in the States, they pulled out all the stops prior to the 2011 season with the aim of replicating that success.
The past triumphs that KTM enjoyed in American motocross were relatively few and far between. Arenacross veteran Kelly Smith captured the brand's first-ever win on U.S. soil with a big day aboard a 125cc machine during the 2000 season. The following year was arguably KTM’s most successful prior to 2012, with Grant Langston winning five races and finishing second to Mike Brown in the 125cc championship. Two years later, Langston gave KTM its only previous championship, taking the 125cc crown despite not winning a single race that season. His teammate, Ryan Hughes, helped give KTM a 1-2 finish at season’s end.
With an established presence in the competitive landscape of the U.S., KTM looked to rising star Mike Alessi to turn it into a consistent title threat. In two seasons at the Motocross Lites level, Alessi performed well, grabbing three wins and finishing second to Ryan Villopoto in 2006. He made the move to the premier class in 2007 and represented the brand’s best chance of achieving success at the highest level.
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