Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Kawasaki and Chase Sexton have confirmed an immediate split after just one season together, bringing their three-year agreement to a premature end ahead of 2027.

The separation was announced late on Friday, leaving the former 450SX and 450MX champion’s next future uncertain as negotiations continue behind closed doors in preparation for next year’s Monster Energy SMX World Championship.

“Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. and Chase Sexton have mutually agreed to part ways effective October 23rd, 2026,” the official statement read. “The 2026 season together was highlighted by achieving two 450 Supercross wins in Anaheim and Salt Lake City, adding Sexton to the long list of Supercross winners with Kawasaki. Kawasaki wishes him the best for the 2027 season.”

Sexton also acknowledged his departure through social media, thanking the organization and its personnel following a challenging year aboard the factory KX450SR: “Just want to say thank you [Monster Energy Kawasaki]. Very appreciative for all the effort by every person involved and I wish the team and all the staff the best going forward. See you at the races!”

Having joined Kawasaki from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2026, Sexton claimed Monster Energy Supercross victories at Anaheim 2 and the Salt Lake City finale, but an inconsistent season saw him finish sixth in the 450SX standings.

Sexton’s Pro Motocross campaign began with sixth overall at Fox Raceway and seventh at Hangtown, before a heavy press day crash at Thunder Valley resulted in a torn ACL. The injury required surgery and ruled him out of the remaining outdoor rounds and SMX playoffs, ending his season altogether.

Attention now turns to Sexton’s options for 2027, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing consistently linked following Cooper Webb’s exit, while the more recent departure of Joey Savatgy has created an opening at Quad Lock Honda – speculation building that it could become a realistic destination in aligning him back on board factory-supported CRF machinery.

A return to Red Bull KTM is another prospect following the departure of both Eli Tomac and Aaron Plessinger, but a reunion appears less likely after Sexton’s own exit last year. In addition, PRMX Racing – switching to Yamaha for 2027 – is another outside possibility, with Sexton having trained alongside its riders at the same Florida facility this season.

With reigning 450SX champion Ken Roczen still yet to confirm whether he will race-on in a title defense with Pipes Motorsport Group (PMG), yet another high-profile position could emerge with Suzuki, which has already recruited Justin Barcia and is expected to continue with Jason Anderson after only completing a partial season with the team this year.

The Sexton decision echoes Kawasaki’s separation from Jorge Prado last October, when the Spaniard was also released after just one season of a three-year agreement before going on to clinch the 450SMX crown with KTM in 2026. It marks the second-consecutive year Kawasaki has parted ways with a high-profile, long-term signing.

Moving forward, Monster Energy Kawasaki is now all but certain to field the returning Garrett Marchbanks alongside new recruit Malcolm Stewart for 2027, although next year’s roster is yet to be formally announced.