09.10.2023

AARON PLESSINGER AND TEAM USA CLAIM EIGHTH-PLACE RESULT AT 2023 MXON IN FRANCE

2023 Motocross of Nations
This press release has: 7 Images
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Aaron Plessinger finished ninth in the MXGP Class with a personal best result of P5 in the opening moto, as Team USA claimed eighth position overall at the 2023 FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN), held in Ernee, France.
Plessinger raced his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to an eighth-place finish during Saturday’s qualifying race after a minor fall in the opening laps, with the American captain – in his maiden trip to Europe – working overtime to establish a familiar feeling on the unique slopes of Ernee as Sunday’s motos loomed.

After securing a top 10 start during the opening MXGP and MX2 combined moto, Plessinger progressively powered his way into third position by the halfway mark, setting a strong pace to see out the moto. A couple of untimely mistakes on the technical circuit saw the number one finish the race in an encouraging fifth position, adding a consistent score toward Team USA's tally.

Shadows dawned on the Ernee track as riders lined up for the third and final outing of the weekend, which combined both the MXGP and Open categories for a stacked field of 450s. Plessinger finished with an 18th-place result, which ultimately resulted in ninth overall in the MXGP Class, and forming an important part of USA finishing eighth overall in the Nations classification.

Aaron Plessinger: "Today, Sunday, was feeling really good, honestly. Went out and got fifth the first moto and I was a little tight, but felt really good, then not sure what happened the second moto... I got a mid-pack start, then just kind of faded back halfway. It was not a good ending, but 32 races in a season, and I’d say we did pretty good. Track was... I can’t really compare it to anything other than a local, dry track with the sun in your eyes just about everywhere, but yeah, it was gnarly! These guys are gnarly for riding it that fast and it was crazy. Couldn’t see half the ruts and there were some unorthodox lines, but I couldn’t find the right line on the track. Overall, we're alright, came out in one piece. It's awesome to represent my country, it’s a shame we didn’t get on the podium, but it's my first time overseas and it's pretty wild. It means the world to me to represent the USA over here in France. Now, we’ll go back, have a break, and get ready for Supercross."

Roger De Coster – Team USA Manager: "After the second race our hopes were up, we were only two points out of a podium position, but everything fell apart in the third race, where both, [Christian] Craig and Aaron ended up having a crash and could not find any rhythm back, so it was disappointing, but we were here and finished eighth. It’s hard for everybody because for all the people that came, they put in a big effort and they tried everything... like I said, until after the second moto we were actually doing really well, but that's it for this year – we’ll go back home and go back to work."

Also on-hand for the event was U.S. based Red Bull KTM Factory Racing regular Tom Vialle, who contributed an 8-2 scorecard for the MX2 overall victory on his 250 SX-F and to help Team France secure the Chamberlain Trophy in the 2023 edition on home soil.

2023 Motocross of Nations MXGP Class Results
1. Ken Roczen (GER), Suzuki, 3-2
2. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 2-4
3. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 6-1
OTHER KTM
9. Aaron Plessinger (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 5-18

Final Standings
1. France 14 points
2. Australia 34
3. Italy 43
8. USA 65
Get all contents of this press release as .zip: Direct download Save to Lightbox

Images (7)

AARON PLESSINGER - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Ray Archer
AARON PLESSINGER 02 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Ray Archer
AARON PLESSINGER 03 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Ray Archer
AARON PLESSINGER 04 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Ray Archer
AARON PLESSINGER 05 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333 © Ray Archer
AARON PLESSINGER 06 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
6 000 x 4 000
AARON PLESSINGER 07 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
6 000 x 4 000

Contact

USA - Marketing
KTM North America, Inc.
Media and Public Relations

30125 KTM Way
Murrieta, CA 92563

T +1 951 600 8007 
E ktmmarketing@ktmnorthamerica.com