Image: Octopi Media.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team manager Ian Harrison has detailed the extraordinary lengths behind Julien Beaumer’s late inclusion in Team USA for the 2026 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Ernee, France, this weekend.

Off the back of a standout Monster Energy SMX World Championship post-season, the 20-year-old will replace the injured Chance Hymas alongside Cooper Webb and Levi Kitchen, with Beaumer to make his MXoN debut.

KTM is building a KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION for Beaumer to briefly test in California this week before traveling to France on Wednesday together with the team. It’s understood that a full-specification race bike is being prepared by the factory in Europe.

“It’s a big commitment from a lot of departments and people to pull this one off – we’re getting a bike put together on Monday morning, and then we’ll go testing with Julien in California,” Harrison explained. “On Tuesday we will do a couple of motos, before we leave for France on Wednesday.

“I’m very thankful for everybody’s support and commitment. Also, Julien was chomping at the bit to go over, so I give him a big checkmark right there that he wants to ride for and represent his country. Of course, we are right behind him.”

The opportunity to fill in for Hymas came at short notice during Ridgedale’s SMX Final this past weekend, with Beaumer eager and motivated to wear the Stars and Stripes for the first time in his young professional career.

“Firstly, I would like to say that I’m gutted for Chance, and I hope that he gets well soon,” Beaumer said. “I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to represent Team USA and race in France this weekend.

“I’d like to thank the AMA for the opportunity and also everybody at KTM, for obviously putting me in this position and going through all the steps at the last minute to get me over there. I’m stoked – I can’t wait to represent my country.”

Beaumer was a standout during the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship, placing second in the final 250MX standings with two victories to his credit. He then went on to claim fourth in the 250SMX World Championship after winning SMX Playoff 2 in Los Angeles and challenging for the title.