Sebastien Tortelli

Two-time World MX Champion

Sebastien Tortelli was born to race. In the small town of Agen, France, 4-year-old Sebastien received his first motorcycle for Christmas. As an only child, he stayed out of trouble by riding his QR 50 around the farm while his parents worked. His father built jumps for him on the farm and by the age of 6 he was racing and winning.

Now a seasoned factory-sponsored rider, Tortelli has been a top ranked rider in both AMA National and Supercross competitions, as well as the European-based Motocross Grand Prix World Championships.

Tortelli began his early career in Europe on the Grand Prix motocross racing circuit. He made his winning debut in 1993 when he won the 1996 125cc FIM World Motocross Championship. In 1998, he took the title in Greece as the 250cc World Champion and in 1999, he was sponsored by Team Honda when he claimed the 250cc National in San Bernardino, California.

For the next 5 years, Tortelli produced similar results, placing top 5 in both Supercross and Nationals. He went on to sign with Team Suzuki and then KTM when he returned once again to Europe and took KTM’s first world title in 2007.

“For me, the best thing about Motocross is that you can express yourself through racing,” Tortelli says. “I live for racing and winning- it has always been my drive. When the gate drops you are the only one in control. You are the one who makes the call, you are the one that pushes the limit, you are the one who jumps the corner.”

Tortelli’s hero is Jeff Ward. When Tortelli was a little boy, he went to a race in Paris and saw Jeff Ward crash over a triple jump. Despite the crash, Jeff Ward got up right away and managed to finish second behind Rick Johnson.

“Never quit.” Tortelli says. “One point can make the difference and I won a world championship because of that spirit.”