Image: Octopi Media.

Austin Forkner has announced his retirement from professional motocross, effective immediately, the 5.11 Triumph Factory Racing rider making the decision prior to RedBud’s fifth round of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship.

The 27-year-old won’t complete the season after making the decision to call time on his racing career, which comes following a full decade in the professional ranks.

A crash in 250MX timed qualifying at Thunder Valley had initially sidelined Forkner, also sitting out High Point and RedBud. He had finished a season-high 22nd overall at Hangtown, but had continued to have difficulties with his left hand while attempting to race – a major part of his decision to retire.

“I am retiring as of now or as of, I guess, a week and a half ago, kind of when I made the decision,” Forkner announced. “I’m sure some of you are wondering why I wasn’t at RedBud, but yeah, I’m retiring.

“It is a big decision and it’s not one that I’ve made lightly – I’ve thought about this quite a bit. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, [and] after my crash in Colorado, I feel like it’s time.”

After spending much of his career with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki between 2016-2024 and establishing himself as one of the most decorated 250SX riders in history, Forkner switched to Triumph in 2025. He’s largely been impacted by his health and ongoing injuries through the past two years, spending a portion of the 2026 season in 450SX.

Forkner has a total of 13 Monster Energy Supercross 250SX main event victories to his credit – the most recent of those at Detroit in 2024 – in addition to a single 250MX overall. He has twice finished third in the 250SX standings (East in 2019 and West in 2020).