Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has signed Ryder DiFrancesco and Daxton Bennick ahead of the 2027 SMX World Championship season, joining an expanded four-rider 250 program alongside Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen.
The new-look roster will compete aboard KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION machinery across the AMA Supercross Championship, Pro Motocross Championship, and SMX Finals post-season, further strengthening KTM’s READY TO RACE commitment to the next generation of 250 class talent.
DiFrancesco, 21, joins Red Bull KTM Factory Racing following a breakout 2026 season, finishing runner-up in the 250SMX World Championship, fifth in 250MX, and fourth in the 250SX Western Division standings. The Californian earned his first-career 250SX podium at Anaheim 1 and carried that momentum into the outdoors and playoffs with a collection of podium results, firmly establishing himself as a title challenger into the future.
Ryder DiFrancesco: “I’m super-excited to be joining Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. It’s been one of the top-tier teams in the paddock since I can remember, so it’s going to be a cool feeling being on the orange bike in 2027 – it only grows the confidence in myself and the team. The next thing to do now is to go out there and win. I’m excited, and the season can’t come soon enough.”
Bennick, 20, is another exciting addition to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing effort after a strong 2026 campaign that saw him claim third in the 250SX East standings and secure his first 250SMX podium at SMX Playoff 1 in Columbus. The North Carolina native has continued to progress through the professional ranks since his highly-successful amateur career as part of the KTM Orange Brigade and will enter 2027 targeting title success.
Daxton Bennick:“I’m so excited to be on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team next year. It’s always been a dream of mine, so it’s a super-cool and surreal moment for me. There are a lot of familiar faces on the team and also some new ones, and I think we’re going to make a really good combination and go after the championships – I’m ready to get to work.”
