Closer look: Andrea Verona’s 2026 Red Bull KTM 450 EXC-F

Take a closer look at the 2026 Red Bull KTM 450 EXC-F Andrea Verona will race in the EnduroGP World Championship next season.

One of the big name moves in the EnduroGP World Championship for the 2026 season is Andrea Verona. The world number two and E2 world champion moves from GASGAS to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team in a move which comes into line with the broader picture of the Austrian manufacturer‘s racing programme.

It‘s a move many on the outside will look at for the demise of the GASGAS model in world championship racing but, for the technically interested among us, has a bigger question: how will the Italian get along with the KTM PDS (direct link) suspension system?

“The feeling is good with the PDS”

Speaking about his first riding tests with the bike where they worked on the suspension and some parts, Verona says, “the feeling is good, if slightly different. The only difference is that I am not using the suspension linkage any mor because we are switching to the PDS.” It’s a talking point because the eight-times world champion has never raced on the KTM direct shock mounted PDS set-up on the KTM. “The rear of the bike reacts slightly differently, but I really like it.” Says the new KTM rider. “It’s very agile, very easy to move, responsive, so now we need to have a good winter and train well.”

Early signs are good from the test where Andrea looked at one with the bike, exploiting the agility of the linkage-less chassis.

The signing to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing extends Verona’s five-year relationship within the Farioli team and with the KTM Group, having raced in the GASGAS colours until now.

With Andrea Verona in Enduro2 and Josep Garcia in Enduro1, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will field one of the strongest and most balanced line-ups in 2026 – although it must be pointed out the pair have been teammates in reality all along since Verona signed to race the GASGAS.

That means the GASGAS Racing team, along with Husqvarna as of three years ago now, no longer have a presence in the world championship as KTM focuses its racing activities into one ‘brand’.

Photo Credit: Enduro21