Although the weather outside says it’s a terrible time of year in Canada, the “silly season,” as we like to call it, has been wide open in recent weeks, both south of the border and here at home. With most U.S. contracts ending on October 31st, new signings typically don’t get announced until early November. That’s why it took a little longer to officially confirm two of the biggest moves in recent memory: Chase Sexton to Monster Energy Kawasaki, and the legend himself, Eli Tomac, signing with Red Bull KTM. These moves have been swirling in the media for months, so it’s great to finally see them locked in.
Meanwhile, in Canada, rider movement has been happening almost weekly since mid-October and we in the media have been loving every minute of it. First, Wyatt Kerr revealed that despite receiving an offer from the Priority MX Thor GASGAS Team, he’s heading to the Guaranteed Comfort Honda Team for 2026 and beyond. Then came the news that Quinn Amyotte will join the Priority MX Thor GASGAS Team and race the 450 class alongside Tanner Ward next season.
There’s also the yet to be confirmed news about Sebastien Racine moving to the WLTN Kawasaki Team and stepping up to the 450 class, and MX101 Yamaha coming to terms with Preston Kilroy to defend his 250 Triple Crown Series title. And finally, the Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team made it official this week: Dylan Rempel will replace Ryder McNabb as their 250 rider in the Triple Crown Series. Like the Sexton and Tomac moves, this one’s been speculated on for a while, so it was great to see the news drop Monday morning.
Let’s take a closer look at the biggest signings of the week.
Dylan Rempel Joins Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team
Just a year ago, KTM Canada was riding high after clinching two Triple Crown Series titles with Kaven Benoit and Jess Pettis. Most of us assumed the Orange Brigade would roll into 2025 unchanged. But things shifted fast. Benoit announced his semi-retirement, Pettis took his #1 plate to the Blu Cru, and KTM Global’s financial troubles came to light. Suddenly, KTM Canada had no signed riders and a limited budget. That’s when Matt Deroy and the marketing team made a bold move: they signed young Ontario talent Dylan Rempel. Looking back, it might have been the best signing of the year.
Fast forward to now, and Rempel is one of the most sought-after 250 riders in Canada after a breakout 2025 season. KTM wanted him back, and most of us assumed he’d return to the team that gave him his big shot. But Dylan had other plans. When the GDR Honda Team came calling with a 250 spot for 2026, he made the move and became a Red Rider.
This is a win-win heading into next season. GDR gets a rider who proved he can win races and contend for a title, and Rempel joins a team with championship pedigree. His confidence is at an all-time high, and if he can replicate the preparation he had under Benoit’s guidance last season, he’ll be a serious threat in 2026.
From his RM85 days tearing up Ontario tracks to now being one of Canada’s top 250 riders, Rempel’s rise has been steady and impressive. Can he dethrone Preston Kilroy and claim his first Triple Crown title? It won’t be easy, Kilroy’s sticking with the same bike and program that earned him the championship this past summer. But if history tells us anything, Rempel and the GDR Honda Team will leave no stone unturned in their quest for the crown.
Chase Sexton – Monster Energy Kawasaki
The past few seasons have been a rollercoaster for Chase Sexton. He’s had race wins and championships, but also his fair share of crashes and the ongoing struggle to find comfort on the KTM. Now, those frustrations may finally be behind him. Sexton has inked a new deal with the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team and will line up in 2026 aboard the ultra-refined KX450SR, arguably the most comfortable bike on the track.
Will this solve all of Sexton’s issues and pave the way to a 2026 Monster Energy Supercross title? That’s still to be seen. But it’s undeniably a step in the right direction for Team Sexton. In the short clips posted on social media earlier this week, he already looks smooth and confident on the Kawasaki. There’s little doubt that a change of scenery and machinery, will do him good.
This move feels like a win for everyone involved: Sexton, Kawasaki, and the sport as a whole.
Eli Tomac – Red Bull KTM Team
This week, the media was invited to the KTM SX test track to meet the 2026 Red Bull KTM Team and watch them break in their new race bikes on a perfectly prepped Supercross layout. While Aaron Plessinger, Julien Beaumer, and Jorge Prado were all in attendance, the spotlight was firmly on the newly signed legend: Eli Tomac.
With Star Racing Yamaha stacked with 450 talent for 2026, Tomac found himself without a seat at the Blu Cru table. So, in a move that surprised many, he joined the very team he’s been battling for over a decade—Red Bull KTM.
Let’s be honest: watching Tomac on a KTM felt a little strange at first. His riding style is so distinct that it’s easy to tell when he’s in sync with a bike and when he’s not. At 32, Tomac knows exactly what he wants, and one of those things is a cable clutch. KTM delivered, designing a 450 with a cable setup just for him. It’s incredible what lengths these teams will go to in order to make their riders feel at home.
During post-ride interviews, Tomac raved about the bike’s rider triangle and how planted it felt on the track. I watched every video from his test sessions, and I’ve got to say, he looked phenomenal. From nailing rhythm sections to his whoop speed and corner flow, Tomac looked completely at ease. You have to wonder just how many hours he’s already logged on the new KTM. My guess? A lot more than the “few days” KTM is claiming.
Either way, Tomac looks ready—and Canadian SX fans are in for a treat. His KTM debut happens November 15th at BC Place in Vancouver. It’s going to be special.
