Official: Nestaan Husqvarna remains a factory team; Kay de Wolf extends his contract

The situation regarding Kay de Wolf and Team Nestaan Husqvarna is far more complicated than simply renewing a rider’s contract. Naturally, every team is keen to sign or retain a rider like Kay de Wolf. The issue is linked to the overall situation at the parent company KTM, which has been consistently focusing on cost-cutting following its takeover by the Indian Bajaj Group. A number of teams have felt the effects of this: The factory teams of KTM subsidiary GASGAS have been disbanded in both the US and the World Championship, and Husqvarna’s factory programme in the US is coming to an end this year. The question was: what does the future hold for Husqvarna’s factory programme in the Motocross World Championship?

Key message: Husqvarna is staying, with greater independence from KTM

The key message regarding Kay de Wolf’s contract extension is this: Husqvarna is continuing its factory programme in the World Championship. The official statement reads: “The agreement also enables team owner Kay Hennekens to retain control over his sporting project whilst operating with a greater degree of independence from the other teams within the Austrian group.”

In future, Husqvarna will operate more independently of teams within the KTM Group

Husqvarna

What does ‘multi-year contract’ actually mean?

Officially, the term ‘multi-year contract’ is used. This tactic is becoming increasingly common in the World Championship. Hidden behind the legal jargon are often exit clauses in case things do not go as expected. However, if the rider’s manager has negotiated well and secured favourable exit or extension options, this can also have positive implications for the rider. Particularly if his performance improves and he is courted by other teams, he could use these options to renegotiate his salary. Contract details are, of course, not made public, but we note that a multi-year contract means, for the time being, that Kay will remain with Nestaan Husqvarna for at least two years. What happens after that depends essentially on two factors: measurable performance and money. Despite suffering a few injuries, de Wolf secured two podium finishes in Sardinia and Latvia during his MXGP rookie season.

Never change a winning team

Kay de Wolf became World Champion with Husqvarna in 2024. He has been familiar with Husqvarna since his early days in the EMX European Championships. There is no reason for him to look elsewhere, and Jorge Prado’s story has made headlines not only in the US.

Statement from Kay de Wolf

“I’ve grown up with this team ever since I signed my first contract at the age of 13. I really feel at home here and I couldn’t be happier. I’m already very much looking forward to next season and the years ahead. Hopefully, together we can achieve some special things and continue to build on the legacy we’ve set out to create. This team has played a very important role in my career, but it’s not just about what happens on the track; it’s about the whole organisation, which is something very special.”

Robert Jonas – Director of Off-road

“Extending our partnership with Kay and continuing our relationship with Nestaan gives us stability and continuity for the future. We know what this team is capable of and we trust one another.”