Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has announced the end of its five-year partnership with Aaron Plessinger, bringing to a close a successful period that delivered race wins, podium finishes and plenty of memorable moments across AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and the SuperMotocross Championship.
Known to fans simply as “The Cowboy”, Plessinger became one of the most popular personalities in American motocross and supercross during his time in orange, building a strong connection with KTM supporters both in North America and around the world.
Since joining Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ahead of the 2022 season, Plessinger collected 24 premier-class podiums, including 11 in 450SX and 13 in 450MX competition, as well as two 450SX Main Event victories.
His first season with KTM began strongly, with a runner-up finish at Round 2 of the 2022 AMA Supercross Championship in Oakland. Outdoors, he added overall podium finishes at Southwick and Ironman in his debut season aboard the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition.
The Ohio native continued to build momentum in 2023, recording two Supercross podiums and three more podium finishes in the Pro Motocross Championship on his way to third overall in the 450MX standings. He also earned selection for Team USA at the 2023 Motocross of Nations at Ernée, France, where he represented his country in the MXGP category.
Plessinger reached another level in 2024, opening the AMA Supercross Championship with the first premier-class Main Event victory of his career in San Diego. The win saw him take possession of the coveted red plate, which he retained through the following round at Anaheim 2 after another podium finish. A third-place result in Arlington followed before injury unfortunately cut short what had been one of the strongest Supercross campaigns of his career.
He bounced back outdoors with another impressive Pro Motocross season, standing on the podium at Hangtown, RedBud, Washougal, Unadilla, Budds Creek and Ironman. Those performances secured third in the 450MX Championship standings for a second time and helped him finish fourth overall in the inaugural SMX World Championship playoffs.
His form also earned another call-up for Team USA at the 2024 Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin in the United Kingdom, where he competed in the Open category and helped the American squad secure second place overall.
The 2025 season added another highlight to Plessinger’s career when he claimed his second 450SX Main Event victory at Foxborough. Along the way he also scored podium finishes at Daytona, Birmingham, Seattle and East Rutherford. Outdoors, he opened the Pro Motocross season strongly with podiums at Hangtown and Thunder Valley before illness interrupted his campaign.
Despite battling multiple injuries throughout the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship, Plessinger remained a valued member of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing line-up through to the SMX Final in Ridgedale, Missouri, where his final season in orange came to a close.
Reflecting on the partnership, Plessinger said the past five years had been among the most rewarding of his career.
“These have been some of the best five years of my life, and especially during my career – I’ve had a great time at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and I’m going to miss everybody a lot,” Plessinger said.
Looking back on the success achieved together, he added: “Looking back, our results together have been consistently solid over a good stretch of years, which we can be proud of as a team. And the KTM fans, too, their support has meant the world to me and I’m glad that we were able to have a good run for them.”
Above all, Plessinger said he was grateful for the relationships formed throughout his time with the team.
“Above all, I’m thankful for these years that we were able to spend together. We’ll see you at the races!”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Ian Harrison paid tribute to Plessinger’s contribution, saying the rider’s impact stretched well beyond race results.
“Working with Aaron over the last five years has been a privilege,” Harrison said.
“He brought with him a unique personality, always making those around feel like a part of his inner-circle, and his cowboy style made him a favorite with the fans and our team.”
Harrison said Plessinger represented the team with distinction through both successes and challenges.
“From race wins and podiums to some challenging moments along the way, Aaron always represented Red Bull KTM Factory Racing with passion, professionalism, and determination.”
As the partnership officially comes to an end, Harrison made it clear the respect between both parties remains strong.
“We’d like to thank him for everything he has done for the Red Bull KTM team, and we wish him and his family the very best moving forward. You are family, Mr Plessinger – see you at the races.”
With 24 premier-class podiums, two Supercross victories and countless fan-favourite moments, Plessinger’s chapter with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing comes to a close as one of the most memorable rider-team partnerships in recent years. While both parties now head in different directions, the impact of their five seasons together will not be forgotten any time soon.
