DIRT NEWS

Rossi will wear Red Bull KTM Factory Racing colours in 2025 aboard a KTM 250 SX-F in the FIM MX2 World Championship . The 18-year-old comes into the works outfit for what will be his second attempt at the MX2 series . He has spent much of his fledgling racing career on KTM machinery as he made his way through the EMX European Championship . Rossi made his Grand Prix debut at his home round in 2023 and impressed with 7th position overall at Villars sous Ecot . That same season Rossi confirmed 7th place in the EMX250 Championship despite missing three rounds . He shone with three moto wins among a total of six top three finishes . That form , style , speed and determination took him into MX2 for 2024 where he posted a sequence of top ten results in the first four Grands Prix of 2024 until a knee injury halted his progress . Rossi (# 28 ) will come under the guidance of Joel Smets and the rest of the Red Bull KTM structure for the next step in his career path . He will follow in the footsteps of countrymen like Marvin Musquin , Jordi Tixier and Tom Vialle to try and excel wearing orange . The full Red Bull KTM Factory Racing line-up for 2025 in both MXGP and MX2 classes will consist of Jeffrey Herlings and Lucas Coenen riding the 450 SX-F and then Andrea Adamo , Sacha Coenen , Simon Lägenfelder and Marc-Antoine Rossi with the 250 SX-F . Marc-Antoine Rossi said , “ I ’ m really happy to be back in orange and to join this crew . I ’ m already excited for 2025 and will be back on a bike soon and working with Joel . I ’ ll give everything I have for what will be a long year . I hope I can make the podium at some point next season .” Joel Smets , Red Bull KTM Team Manager said , “ For many years France has had this reputation of bringing up young , skilled riders and Marc-Antoine Rossi can be added to this list . He ’ s only 18 but has already shown great potential in EMX125 and EMX250 . He then displayed bright flashes of speed and strength this year . Marc-Antoine is still so young and reminds me a lot of Tom Vialle . He not only has the same number but he has that same laidback attitude which camouflages a real ambition to work and to achieve . He is a good listener and is very keen to learn . He has time to grow and we don ’ t want to rush things . We believe he has a great future .”

KIWI RIDER 17