Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has announced a major management restructure ahead of the 2027 FIM Motocross World Championship, with five-time world champion Joel Smets leaving his position as Team Manager and Stefan Simpson appointed to oversee KTM’s entire Grand Prix motocross operation.
Smets has been part of KTM’s racing management and advisory structure since 2015, playing a significant role in the development of Grand Prix winners and world champions including Tom Vialle, Jorge Prado and Andrea Adamo.
The Belgian also enjoyed a successful racing career of his own, winning five world motocross championships, including his final title aboard KTM SX-F machinery.
His departure marks the end of an 11-year involvement in KTM’s factory racing management structure.
Replacing Smets is Austria-based Scotsman Stefan Simpson, who has spent the past two years working in a development management role directly connected to the factory racing team.
Simpson is no stranger to KTM, having worked as a Red Bull KTM mechanic during the 2009 and 2010 seasons before moving into technical and research and development positions.
He brings more than 15 years of technical and R&D experience to the role and will now take responsibility for KTM’s entire motocross Grand Prix operation, covering both MXGP and MX2.
The management change follows a 2026 season in which Red Bull KTM Factory Racing claimed Grand Prix victories with three of its four riders and held the championship leader’s red plates in both MXGP and MX2 aboard the KTM 450 SX-F and KTM 250 SX-F.
KTM has also acknowledged the contributions of other long-serving staff involved in its factory motocross program since the introduction of the current world championship format in 2004, although no further personnel changes have been detailed.
Speaking about his appointment, Simpson acknowledged the responsibility of taking over one of the championship’s established factory teams.
“The last fifteen years of my career has been building up to this position. There are some big shoes to fill. I want to thank Robert and Pit for believing in me. It was an opportunity to seize, and I will give it everything. We have a good group of people, and the company are fully behind us for the seasons ahead, so I’m confident. This team has won many titles and we’re already full steam ahead for 2027.”
KTM Director Offroad Racing Robert Jonas said the restructure was part of the manufacturer’s plans to maintain its position in both world championship classes.
“As the years pass a race team reinvents itself and the priority for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing is to keep the high quality and consistency to regularly fight for world championships. This is something we have done frequently over the years, and it has been thanks to the whole group and the contributions of special people. We now look to 2027 and the approach to another decade with fresh energy but with the same targets. Stefan brings knowledge of the sport and the company but also the KTM mentality to competition and we know the project will be in very good hands.”
KTM has not yet confirmed its complete rider line-up for the 2027 MXGP and MX2 championships, with an announcement expected shortly.
The restructure will see Simpson take charge of the factory operation as KTM prepares for another season competing for world titles in both classes.
