The Silly Season Week: Plessinger to Triumph While KTM Waited on Tomac

Main Event Moto report that Aaron Plessinger is leaving KTM for Triumph as their number one 450 rider. We grade that an A, and it is the week's loudest move.

The why arrived alongside it. The Vital MX show put it about that KTM would have kept Plessinger had Eli Tomac reached his retirement decision sooner. Take that as a claim, not a confession, but it fits the timeline.

The PulpMX Show say Justin Barcia has signed with HEP Motorsports Suzuki, described as his last remaining option. Grade A. Barcia keeps turning up somewhere, which is its own kind of career.

Less cheerful news for Kade Johnson. The same show report he has nothing lined up for next season and no confirmed ride, another A, and they also shut the door on the MX6 deal that had been circulating. A denial and a dead end in the same segment.

Ken Roxen gave us a contradiction. Main Event Moto have him saying he has not yet decided whether he races next year. PulpMX say he will return in 2027 and should be a title favourite. Both carry an A. One of them is reading a maybe as a yes.

Also logged: Cam McAdoo pitted under the Kawasaki rig at Columbus SMX, per PulpMX. Rigs talk.

Confirmations came thick. Gatedrop have Jeffrey Herlings and Kay de Wolf on Dutch duty for the 2026 Motocross of Nations, with Roan van de Moosdijk rumoured for the MX2 slot, and Francisco Garcia landing a full factory MX2 seat with Kawasaki Racing Team for 2027.

Vital MX report Calvin Vlaanderen leaving Ducati, who drop to two riders. MX Vice have Chinese manufacturer ZXMOTO entering MXGP in 2027.

Elsewhere, Will Hahn has moved to Star Yamaha's 450 programme, reportedly ahead of Cole Davies stepping up in 2028. Hayden Deegan's mechanic Duffy is off to Formula 1. Kevin Windham has started with the Quadlock Honda amateur programme, money included.

Moto Aftermath knock down the Levi Kitchen 450 outdoors talk. Kawasaki have filled it.

The board: 38 new claims, 59 confirmations, two denials, 156 rumours live.

Next week should settle Roxen's intentions, name Ducati's remaining two, and tell us where Johnson lands, if anywhere.