Well, it has finally happened, Chase Sexton has done a Jorge Prado and left Kawasaki just one year into his contract after, like Prado, not having the feel he wants from the Kawasaki and being unable to ride to his full potential as a consequence.
Now Sexton has a huge decision to make, what bike can he get on that will see the American back to his blistering best. When Sexton is on form, he is one of the few that can push Jett Lawrence indoors and out, a 100% happy Sexton only adds to the level of the AMA series. And now is even more motivated.
But where is his best option? Even Steve Matthes isn’t sure of his next destination, but he did reveal he had meeting with KTM, despite their difficult ending a year ago. With Sexton having just watched Prado go there and be successful on a bike he also knows, it may be the least risky option, especially if Lucas Coenen rides a 250 in Supercross (a rumour at the moment) that would give KTM only one rider in 450 Supercross after Tomac’s retirement, Sexton would be an elite addition to their premier roster, with Micheal Lindsay saying KTM have not taken the option off the table.
It honestly seems the best option for both parties, Sexton knows the bike and KTM have the Tomac budget there to add a title contender to the team alongside Prado in Supercross, adding Lucas Coenen in outdoors and it is a powerhouse team! But can they both get past the significant friction that caused the break-up last year?
Matthes also mentioned Bobby Regan, more than the corporate Yamaha themselves looking at Sexton, with Deegan the main man on the 450 and the next superstar Cole Davies ready to move up next year is there room for Sexton? He would probably not be the main guy there, just with how he felt at Honda with the Lawrence brothers moving in. Unless, as Matthes hinted, Quad Lock Honda could be an option if he really wanted to ride red?
Of course maybe Sexton in a more private Yamaha team like PRMX but with factory support could work…they put on IG just after Sexton’s announcement “Thanks Kyle Chisholm for getting the Yamaha dialled in for our 450 boys! More news coming Monday!”
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If you told me Sexton to HEP, to Yamaha or to Quad Lock Honda, I would not be surprised.
— Steve Matthes (@pulpmx) October 24, 2026
Then there is HEP Suzuki. Ken Roczen still has not confirmed if he is racing next year and the team have a new title sponsor with extra money and Suzuki Japan becoming more involved, it sounds like they may be able to make it happen even if Roczen stays.
Sexton, as far as we know, isn’t back on the bike yet or at best, is only starting to ride so will he be healthy enough to even test the bikes before he signs? Like Prado, Sexton will have given up millions to leave Kawasaki, Prado made it work and won a million in SMX, Sexton will be hoping he can follow a similar recovery path but his next decision could impact the rest of his career. Everything is on the line.
