Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Program
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — January 8, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is proud to announce the 2026 Team Dunlop Elite motocross roster as the program celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of identifying, supporting, and developing the most promising amateur motocross athletes in the United States. Since its inception in 2007, Team Dunlop Elite has become a proven athlete development pipeline, producing a long list of riders who have advanced into professional racing careers, including Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, Aaron Plessinger, Adam Cianciarulo, Chase Sexton, Austin Forkner, and Haiden Deegan.
The 2026 Team Dunlop Elite program features eight returning athletes and welcomes one new addition. Longtime program cornerstone Ryder Ellis enters his eighth year with Dunlop aboard his Kawasaki KX112. Eidan Steinbrecher returns for his seventh year following his Spring-A-Ding-Ding championship; Gavyn Welzien returns for his fifth season after securing the 2025 Clash title; and fourth-year members Kade Nightingale and Beckham Smith continue after Smith’s dominant 2025 campaign, which included five championships at Mini O’s and four at Spring-A-Ding-Ding. Tayce Morgan begins his second year after a standout season that included two Loretta Lynn’s titles, two Mini O’s titles, and the 2024 YZ bLU cRU SuperFinale World Championship. The women’s division is represented by rising talents Mayla Herrick, entering her second year following multiple national wins, and Raycin Kyler, fresh off a Loretta Lynn’s championship (against the boys) and multiple titles at The Abe and The Clash as she begins her first full year on the program. The newest addition is Robert “Fender the Sender” Fender, an 8-year-old talent and 2025 The Ding Champion, representing the next generation of Team Dunlop Elite.
Dunlop’s backing of amateur motocross racing is unmatched in the United States. In 2025 alone, riders selected Dunlop’s Geomax tires to clinch 34 titles at the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Motocross National, 83 at Mini O’s, 38 at Ponca City, 34 at Mammoth, 40 at Spring-A-Ding-Ding, and another 35 at RCSX—a winning standard that no other brand can rival. Dunlop remains the undisputed choice of champions and the benchmark for amateur racing support nationwide.
“Reaching the 20-year milestone of Team Dunlop Elite is an incredible accomplishment,” said Rob Fox, Amateur Motocross Support Manager. “Our program has become a true pathway to the professional ranks, and seeing our alumni succeed at the highest levels validates everything we’ve built. The 2026 roster continues our mission to support the best young riders in America on and off the track, and we’re excited to celebrate this anniversary year with this exceptional group.”
Think you have what it takes to be a member of Team Dunlop? Visit www.TeamDunlop.com now to apply for support.
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires
Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
Source: Dunlop Motorcycle Tires
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