Words and images from AEO Powersports KTM Racing Team
AEO Powersports KTM Racing Team Season Recap
The 2025 season has officially come to a close, and while the gate drops are on pause until Anaheim 1 kicks off in 2026, the work is far from over for the AEO Powersports KTM Racing Team. Our crew is already back in the shop, eyes forward and focused on building off the momentum from a hard-fought year of racing.
We want to take a moment to reflect and extend a massive thank you to all of our incredible sponsors. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or joined us more recently, your support is what makes this program possible. From fuel, to essential parts, to protective wear and the brands that help us look dialed on and off the track, your belief in our riders and this team keeps us charging forward.
We logged 31 weekends of racing across Supercross, Pro Motocross, and SuperMotocross. That’s 31 rounds of highs, lows, breakthroughs, injuries, and grit. We battled through a stretch where every single one of our riders was banged up, yet we never missed a race. Whether we had a full gate of riders or just one soldier lining up solo, we showed up, geared up, and gave it everything we had. And we closed the season with smiles on our faces, proud of how far we’ve come.
Lux Turner:
Lux Turner, now in his second full season with AEO, showed the kind of growth and grit that only comes from putting in the work year after year. As the longest-tenured rider on our squad, Lux delivered breakout moments in both Supercross and Motocross, cementing himself as a true contender.
- 10th overall in Supercross points and 21st overall in Pro Motocross, Lux opened the year swinging at Anaheim 1 with a P5 in his heat and an 11th in the main.
- He backed it up with another P5 heat race finish at Anaheim 2, and kept the momentum rolling at Glendale, winning the LCQ and taking 11th in the main.
- His consistency truly shined at Arlington’s Triple Crown, finishing 8‑7‑9 for 9th overall, showing his racecraft is ready for the next level.
- Turner continued to fight forward with LCQ wins in Seattle and Denver, heat race highlights in Salt Lake City (P7), and a season-best 8th overall at the SMX finale in Las Vegas.
- Outdoors, his Red Bud ride going 13‑11 for 14th overall was a midseason turning point, followed by strong finishes at Washougal (P16) and Unadilla (P14).
Avery Long:
2025 marked a season of growth and resilience for Avery Long. Avery showcased his raw speed, qualifying pace, and race-day determination.
- He set the tone at Anaheim 1, qualifying 13th, battling through the LCQ with a clutch 3rd, and securing a 12th in the main event.
- He kept himself in the mix through the West Coast rounds, with strong heat race performances in Seattle (P6), Denver (P8), and Salt Lake City.
- During the Pro Motocross season, Avery pushed through the pack for top-20 overall finishes at Red Bud, Spring Creek (P12), and Washougal (P15).
- Through the highs and injury battles, Avery never backed down, showing the kind of tenacity that defines our program.
CJ Benard:
Rookie rider CJ Benard had a season full of growth, grit, and glimpses of what’s to come. While an early injury sidelined him during the opening rounds of the Supercross season, CJ made a return at Denver SX, getting a taste of the stadium lights before lining up one final time at Salt Lake City. There, he showed promise in a stacked 250SX field, finishing 11th in his heat race which was a solid showing in limited gate drops.
Transitioning into the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, CJ lined up for a total of 10 motos in the ultra-competitive 250 class, scoring a career-first top-20 finish and showing consistent improvement each round. As a true rookie, every track was a new challenge, but CJ rose to the occasion, learning and adapting each weekend.
Talon Hawkins:
We started the 2025 season with alumni rider Talon Hawkins under the AEO Powersports KTM tent. Talon came into the year ready to fight, but unfortunately, his season was cut short after sustaining a serious injury in the second round of Supercross. Following a gnarly crash at round two in San Diego that resulted in a broken femur, Talon made the tough decision to hang up the boots and step away from racing after the Supercross season.
It was incredibly hard to watch such a passionate and talented rider leave the sport, but we’re proud and grateful to have had Talon represent the AEO family. His dedication and attitude left a lasting mark on this team, and we wish him all the best in this next chapter.
Cole Thompson:
When injuries struck late in the season, we needed a rider who could step up, and Cole Thompson answered the call. Cole came on board to fill one of two empty spots under the AEO Powersports KTM tent after CJ Benard and Avery Long were sidelined during the closing stretch of the AMA Pro Motocross season.
Cole jumped in for the final three rounds of SuperMotocross, and we were pumped to have him in our corner. His professionalism and experience brought stability and strength to our roster when we needed it most.
It’s been a long season from travel, pressure, and everything in between but we walk away proud. Proud of the effort. Proud of the growth. And proud of the people behind this team.
To our riders, mechanics, staff, and especially our sponsors we say thank you. From the gate drop at A1 to the checkered flag at the SMX finale, you’ve been there with us. And we can’t wait to do it all over again in 2026.
