Kawasaki and Chase Sexton have jointly decided to end their partnership, with the split taking effect on October 23. Their agreement was structured as a three-year deal, but the American rider’s time with Monster Energy Kawasaki will finish after just one season.

Sexton’s campaign included two significant wins, in the A2 and Salt Lake City main events. He later injured his knee during practice at the Thunder Valley Pro Motocross round, curtailing the remainder of his season with the factory team.

Two versions of the Thunder Valley crash

The Thunder Valley incident was followed by disagreement over what caused it. Sexton said the engine stalled while he had the clutch lever pulled in, either during the jump or on the takeoff ramp. Team manager Dan Fahie offered a different account, saying Sexton was at least partly responsible because the clutch had not been disengaged.

Kawasaki has not named a replacement for Sexton. Garrett Marchbanks is already under contract with the team for 2027, while Sexton has not announced his next career move. The split is also Kawasaki’s second early departure involving a 450 rider on a three-year agreement in two years. Jorge Prado previously reached an early settlement after one season, following a campaign affected by a shoulder injury.