Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has confirmed its 2027 MXGP and MX2 line-up, with Australian Byron Dennis joining the manufacturer’s factory-supported programme alongside several new recruits.
The announcement also confirms a major shake-up for KTM, with brothers Lucas and Sacha Coenen absent from the manufacturer’s 2027 roster after establishing themselves as two of its leading Grand Prix contenders.
KTM will field two factory riders in MXGP and three in MX2, with another two factory-supported riders competing in the MX2 World Championship through the Van Venrooy KTM Racing team.
For Australian motocross fans, the biggest news is the inclusion of Dennis, who will contest his first full MX2 World Championship season aboard a KTM 250 SX-F with Van Venrooy.
Dennis impressed during his first MX2 Grand Prix appearances in China and Australia towards the end of the 2026 season, recording top-ten results that helped secure his opportunity on the world stage.
The Australian will join Latvian Karlis Reisulis in the Van Venrooy operation, giving KTM two additional factory-supported riders outside its main Red Bull KTM squad.
It represents a significant step in Dennis’s career as he moves from Australian domestic competition into a full season against the world’s leading MX2 riders.
COENEN BROTHERS MISSING FROM 2027 KTM ROSTER
One of the biggest talking points from KTM’s announcement is the absence of Lucas and Sacha Coenen, with neither brother included in the manufacturer’s confirmed 2027 line-up. The Belgian brothers have been prominent members of KTM’s Grand Prix programme, with Lucas competing in MXGP and Sacha racing in MX2.
The pair have signed with Red Bull KTM in the AMA SMX and their absence represents a substantial change to KTM’s rider roster, particularly given the speed both have demonstrated at world championship level.
RENAUX JOINS ADAMO IN MXGP
Renaux, 26, arrives at Red Bull KTM after establishing himself as a multiple Grand Prix winner in the MXGP class.
The Frenchman won the MX2 World Championship in 2021 before stepping into the premier category in 2022, where he has remained a regular front-runner.
He will race the factory KTM 450 SX-F alongside fellow former MX2 World Champion Andrea Adamo under the direction of Davide De Carli.
“Really excited about this new chapter of my career. It’s a big change coming up and I’m looking forward to make this step with the orange family at Red Bull KTM,” Renaux said.
“It is one of the most attractive and successful MX teams in the paddock and I’m happy to join the organisation of Davide and Claudio; a dream come true.”
Renaux believes the move will provide an opportunity to make further progress in the premier class after several seasons competing at the front of the MXGP field.
“They have so much experience and I’m really eager to learn from that and finding some fresh air in my career. I think we can achieve great things together.”
LÄNGENFELDER LEADS REVISED MX2 SQUAD
In MX2, KTM will retain 2025 World Champion Simon Längenfelder, who will be joined by 18-year-old Latvian Janis Reisulis.
Reisulis impressed during his debut Grand Prix season in 2026, securing three podium finishes and finishing sixth in the MX2 World Championship standings.
His older brother Karlis finished seventh in the 2026 championship and will remain part of KTM’s wider programme through the Van Venrooy team alongside Dennis.
Janis said the opportunity to join the factory operation was a significant step in his career.
“For me personally moving to Red Bull KTM means a lot and I’m very thankful to have this kind of opportunity to race for such a brand,” Reisulis said.
“I’m always up for new challenges and meeting new people, so I feel like I will definitely get along with the new bike and the program. I’m so excited to race this bike!”
Italian Valerio Lata completes KTM’s three-rider factory MX2 line-up and will compete under the De Carli operation.
Lata said joining the team fulfilled a long-held ambition.
“Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of racing for this team, and now I’ve finally fulfilled that dream,” Lata said.
“I’ll certainly have incredible motivation as I head into the season, and I’m looking forward to achieving great results together with the whole team, the work has already begun!”
KTM EXPANDS FACTORY-SUPPORTED MX2 PROGRAMME
KTM’s decision to field five factory riders and another two factory-supported MX2 competitors gives the Austrian manufacturer a seven-rider presence across the two world championship classes.
The 2027 structure will see Renaux and Adamo competing in MXGP, with Längenfelder, Janis Reisulis and Lata representing the factory in MX2.
Dennis and Karlis Reisulis will race under the Van Venrooy KTM Racing banner, while multiple Grand Prix winner Marc de Reuver has been appointed official rider coach for Red Bull KTM.
KTM Director Offroad Racing Robert Jonas said the revised line-up reflects the manufacturer’s commitment to developing both established contenders and younger riders.
“Maxime is a big talent and a smart racer with a decent amount of experience now in the MXGP class. It will be very interesting to see him work with Davide and Claudio De Carli and to hopefully continue the streak of success the team has had for over ten years and with different personalities,” Jonas said.
“Bringing the Reisulis brothers into the program is a big deal for us and we’re very happy to help them reach the next level of performance in their careers.”
Jonas also highlighted the importance of KTM’s relationship with the Van Venrooy operation, which will play a key role in developing Dennis during his rookie world championship season.
“The cooperation with the Van Venrooy team and our other supported race teams is a fundamental part of our motocross project so I want to extend special thanks to them.”
With Renaux arriving in MXGP, three factory riders confirmed for MX2 and Dennis joining the factory-supported ranks, KTM heads into 2027 with a substantially different line-up.
For Dennis, the move provides an opportunity to establish himself internationally, while the absence of the Coenen brothers leaves two major names missing from KTM’s Grand Prix programme.
