CONFIRMED: COENEN TWINS BOUND FOR AMERICA IN 2027

Europe’s fastest young motocross talent used to stay in Europe. Not anymore, it seems.

Red Bull KTM has confirmed that Belgian twins, Lucas and Sacha Coenen, will leave the MXGP World Championship behind at the end of this season and contest the AMA SuperMotocross series from 2027 onwards – Lucas in the 450SX/MX classes, Sacha on the 250s. Both have signed a fresh multi-year deal to stay aboard factory KTM machinery.

So why leave a world championship they’re both still very much in play for? What does the move do to MXGP’s title picture from 2027? And how quickly can a pair of Grand Prix winners – neither of whom has raced a full American season – adapt to a calendar that runs from January through to September across supercross, Outdoors and the SMX playoffs?

Here’s the context that makes it interesting. Lucas finished fifth and second in his two full-time MX2 campaigns, then classified as MXGP runner-up in his rookie premier-class year – becoming the sport’s youngest-ever premier-class GP winner along the way. This season, he’s held the red plate as MXGP championship leader aboard the KTM 450SX-F, in only his second year in the class. Sacha, meanwhile, has claimed at least one Grand Prix win in MX2 in each of the past three years and grabbed the red plate in 2026. Neither is leaving because things went sideways. They’re leaving at the top of their respective games.

The pair also got a taste of what’s coming with a wildcard outing at the AMA Pro National in Colorado earlier this year – an outing Lucas has since described as “amazing”. East/West scheduling for Sacha’s 250 program is yet to be locked in.

Here’s what Red Bull KTM has divulged about the Coenens’ switch…

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Grand Prix winners, Lucas and Sacha Coenen, will transfer from MXGP FIM World Championship competition to AMA SuperMotocross for 2027 and onwards.

The Belgian twins signed a multi-year deal to remain as Red Bull KTM factory riders and embarked on a successful first wildcard appearance in the AMA Pro National motocross series in Colorado. Lucas, who held the red plate as MXGP world championship leader in just his second season in the premier class with the KTM 450SX-F, and Sacha – in MX2 title contention with the KTM 250SX-F – have already earned multiple Grand Prix winners’ trophies this season.

Lucas finished fifth and second in his two full-time MX2 years before classifying as 2025 MXGP runner-up in his rookie campaign; becoming the sport’s youngest-ever premier class GP winner at the same time. Sacha has been a front-runner in MX2 from the outset. He claimed at least one Grand Prix in MX2 for the last three years and grasped the red plate in 2026 as he remains in play for the championship. In 2027, Lucas and Sacha will contest the AMA 450SX/MX and 250SX/MX classes respectively with the East/West scheduling still to be decided.

Lucas Coenen: “I’m pumped to be able to confirm that we’ll be in the U.S. next year. When we went to Thunder Valley, it was amazing and we’ve also been bringing the results for the team in GPs until some bad luck with the hip problem. 2027 will be a big change for the family, but it’s a dream to make this move. Thanks to everyone at Red Bull KTM for making this next chapter possible.”

Sacha Coenen: “Super-excited. We still have big goals for the rest of MX2 this year but to have this deal confirmed means we can focus on the target and also get organised for 2027. There will be a lot to learn but it’s what we want to do. It’s very cool to have this opportunity. I can’t wait already.”

Robert Jonas, KTM Director Offroad Racing: “We know this is an amazing chance for both Lucas and Sacha to achieve new goals in their young careers after reaching the top of their Grand Prix categories in the World Championship. It’s one of Red Bull KTM’s strengths that we can coordinate and provide these opportunities in different series for talented winners like the Coenens. We’ve believed in their potential for quite some time. There is still some Grand Prix wins to attempt before the start of a new adventure for all of us.”

For Australian fans, the upside is straightforward enough: from 2027, two of the most watchable young riders in the sport will be lining up in the series most of us already follow, on a schedule we already know. And they’ll come up against another brotherly duo who are also doing alright for themselves in the USA, Jett and Hunter Lawrence. And what a tantalising prospect that is! But there’s still a decent chunk of the 2026 MXGP season to settle first – and both Coenens have made it clear they’d like to arrive in America with a world title trophy in the luggage.