The following press release is from Yamaha:
Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to confirm the three-driver lineup for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Teams will participate in 2023. Yamaha and the team have retained title challengers Jago Geerts and Thibault Benistant for another season and are ready to welcome recently crowned EMX250 champion Rick Elzinga into the fray. All three riders have signed up to race the Factory Yamaha YZ250FM in the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship.
With 32 race victories and 42 podium finishes in MX2, Geerts is a proven title contender. Chasing his first world title in MX2 again this season, the 22-year-old Belgian currently leads by two points with just one round left in the series.
While his goal is to win the MX2 title this year and successfully defend it next, Geerts is also looking forward to making his MXGP debut in 2024 on the factory Yamaha YZ450FM.
Geerts’ championship hopes in 2023 won’t be without a challenge from teammate Benistant, who captured the EMX125 and EMX250 titles during his ten-year tenure at Yamaha. Although his rookie MX2 season in 2021 was interrupted by injury, the 20-year-old Frenchman won two races and finished on the podium, finishing eighth in the standings.
Benistant’s form continues into 2022, with the youngster once again overcoming an injury that kept him out for the first three rounds to claim his maiden Grand Prix win, four races Victory and five podium finishes put him fifth in the series standings with one round left.
Meanwhile, Elzinga was on the podium on the YZ125 on the EMX125, on the Yamaha racing pyramid on the YZ125, and did a great EMX250 on the YZ250F on the GYTR Championship event, in which he celebrated four rounds of victories, five race victories, and six podium finishes on his way to the championship.
As the newly crowned European EMX250 Champion, Elzinga earns a spot in Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 MX2’s first full season.
Jago Geerts, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX 2 Team:
“This is my fifth year at Yamaha , I’m really excited to extend my contract for another two years. I’ve worked really well with the team and we’ve set up a great bike so it’s great to go into winter with a strong foundation. Goals and this year Same, we want to fight for the World Championship again, and I think we’ll be there. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Thibault Benistant, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team:
“I have been with Yamaha for a long time since I raced on the YZ125, so I am excited to continue working with them for at least two more years. It feels good to be in the factory, I have a lot of confidence in the team around me, so I’m sure we can be a contender for the world championship. Thanks to my team for their support and Yamaha for their trust in me.”
Rick Elzinga, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team:
“It’s very motivating to be a factory rider. I’ve done a few things this year as an outsider Wheel MX2 and I love it. Racing at the highest level with Yamaha’s most prestigious MX2 team is a dream come true. It gives me extra motivation and makes me give more and I’m determined to do it on MX2 next year Work.”
Alexandre Kowalski, Yamaha Motors European Off-Road Racing Manager:
“We are delighted to continue with Jago and Thibault and welcome Rick to the Factory team. All three drivers are very talented title contenders. Jago has been proving his championship potential with multiple race victories and podium finishes, only to miss out by bad luck The final award. He finished third in 2019 and second in 2020 and 2021, so his goals for this season and next are clear; The ability and the necessary support to achieve these goals. As for Thibault, he is a product of Yamaha’s racing program and has been with us for over 10 years. At Yamaha, he has progressed through the team, taking the EMX125 title on the YZ125, and having a GYTR kit EMX250 title on the YZ250F, it’s a similar story for Rick. Both are how a rider develops and progresses in the Yamaha family perfect example. We look forward to celebrating more achievements in the future. “
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team Principal Hans Corvers:
“We are happy to keep Jago and Jago for next season Thibault as they both prove they are title contenders and strengthen our lineup with this year’s European EMX250 Champion Rick. As a team, we are determined to fight for the World Championship every season, so it’s great to know that we once again have three drivers who can help us achieve our ultimate goal. Securing riders of this ability is no easy task, and the fact that both Jago and Thibault have chosen to stay with us is good for both the team and Yamaha. We look forward to next season. We know we have a great package, and now we also know we have riders who can make the most of it. “
