The Silly Season Week: Sexton Adrift as Tomac Calls Time

Chase Sexton is the name moving the board this week. Main Event Moto reports that his future is genuinely unsettled, with options floated ranging from asking KTM for the seat Eli Tomac is vacating, to staying at Yamaha, to a Honda switch, to building his own team. We grade that an A. The same source has Blair arguing Sexton should sit tight on the three-year deal he already holds.

The context is confirmed: Tomac is retiring after the 2026 season, per Main Event Moto. One seat opening, four scenarios, and no signatures.

In MXGP, MX Vice reports that Romain Febvre has ended his time with Kawasaki Racing Team, with the Nations at Ernee his last outing on the brand. Grade A. Gatedrop separately confirms Pauls Jonass stays at KRT for a third season, so the team is not rebuilding from nothing.

Vital MX carries three A-grade claims worth watching. Liam Everts has no 2028 MXGP deal and his Nations ride may start a queue. Glenn Coldenhoff has not renewed with the Fantic-backed Brazil squad and looks unlikely to, with testing cited. Jeffrey Herlings and Kay de Wolf are locked in for the Netherlands at Assen in 2027.

PulpMX reports Haiden Deegan was approached again about the des Nations but wanted paying, with officials scrambling to find the money. Grade A.

The denial of the week also comes from PulpMX. Garrett Marchbanks was floated for a Team USA seat, has no passport, and says he would not go regardless.

Confirmations came thick. Justin Barcia to HEP Suzuki under Pipes Motorsports Group, reported by Gatedrop, SwapMoto and MX Vice. Cooper Webb to the Monster Energy, Rocky Mountain, Husqvarna, Team Tedder effort. Aaron Plessinger to Triumph Factory Racing. Cameron McAdoo back to Honda with Quad Lock. Derek Kelley stays at Liqui Moly Beta alongside Gage Linville. Amandine Verstappen launches her own Yamaha-mounted WMX team.

The ledger: 66 new claims, 25 confirmations, one denial, 159 rumours live.

Next week should answer whether Sexton has actually asked KTM anything, and where Febvre lands.