During the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Anaheim Media Sessions at Angel Stadium, our Mitch Kendra was on hand as series media interviewed over a dozen top riders. In an interview with Austin Forkner, Kendra asked the long-time Kawasaki rider about his decision to switch to Triumph Racing for 2025 and about his final conversation with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki owner Mitch Payton. Forkner answered it simply: “It did make me sad, but at the same time it did make me happy that we didn't end on bad terms.”
The full interaction:
Racer X: When you made the switch, what was the conversation like with Mitch Payton? Because obviously you have a relationship with him. Walk us through what that was like telling him about it [switching to Triumph] and discussing it.
Austin Forkner: I mean, he obviously kind of knew what the…Mitch's hands in a way were kind of tight. Me and Mitch were super, super good. He wanted me back this year, so it wasn't directly coming from Mitch, but his hands were kind of tied, just the whole circumstance. But me and Mitch had a good conversation. I went over and I talked to him a decent amount between, obviously whenever I ended up signing with Triumph and everything, but that last conversation I went over to his house and had dinner with Kristen and the boys and him and it was good. I mean, it was…he was just as supportive as ever. He was like, he told me he was like, “I think you're gonna win next year.” He told me, “You're gonna beat my guys,” and he's like, “The thing is I'm not gonna be bummed about it.” Because we're on good terms. So, it was actually, it was really good. It was…I didn't know exactly how that conversation would go but it went really well. So, I mean, that kind of at the end, it did make me make me sad, but at the same time it did make me happy that we didn't end on bad terms with this whole, whatever I've been on his team, seven years or eight years or however long it was. Had a lot of good races, a lot of bad races, a lot of not racing, but it was good to end it on a good note. And have a good conversation with them and have him still believe in me, even when I'm not riding for his team. So, that was, that was good.
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Related: How Many Wins Did Austin Forkner Earn with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki?
