Tim Gajser ends HRC partnership and confirms move ...

Tim Gajser to Yamaha for MXGP 2026

5-time FIM Motocross World Champion Tim Gajser will line up with Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing facility MXGP in 2026, bringing to a detailed a 12-year affiliation with Honda HRC that ranks among the many most profitable partnerships in trendy motocross.

Gajser joined Honda HRC in 2014 after a troublesome transition from two-stroke to four-stroke equipment the earlier season. Recognized early by Giacomo Gariboldi, the Slovenian steadily progressed throughout his first yr with the staff earlier than claiming his maiden MX2 Grand Prix victory at Trentino in 2015. That season culminated in his first world title, signalling Honda’s return to championship-winning kind within the class.

A transfer to the premier MXGP class adopted in 2016, with Gajser instantly justifying the choice by profitable the opening spherical in Qatar and securing the MXGP World Championship as a rookie. He stays the one rider to have gained MX2 and MXGP titles in consecutive seasons.

Gajser’s Honda profession included additional MXGP world titles in 2019, 2020 and 2022, regardless of a number of campaigns affected by harm. His 2019 title got here after an extended restoration interval, whereas the shortened 2020 season noticed him safe the championship by greater than 100 factors. In 2022, he once more dominated the sequence, recording 10 Grand Prix victories.

Accidents restricted his 2023 marketing campaign, although he returned late within the season with two GP wins. He narrowly missed the 2024 title by 10 factors after a season-long contest and commenced 2025 in sturdy kind earlier than an incident in Switzerland ended his championship problem. His closing Grand Prix victory with Honda got here at Pietramurata, a venue carefully related together with his profession.

Gajser leaves Honda HRC as probably the most profitable rider within the staff’s historical past, with 4 MXGP world titles, one MX2 title, 52 Grand Prix victories, 116 race wins and 125 podium finishes. He additionally contributed to a number of Motocross of Nations class victories throughout his tenure.

Honda HRC Basic Supervisor for MXGP Marcus Pereira de Freitas described Gajser’s time with the staff as outlined by resilience, development and professionalism, noting his development from a promising younger rider to a five-time world champion.

For 2026, Gajser will be part of Yamaha Motor Europe’s Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing facility MXGP staff, racing the YZ450FM alongside Maxime Renaux. The transfer marks his first change of producer on the world championship degree.

Gajser stated the choice to modify manufacturers after greater than a decade brings renewed motivation, whereas acknowledging the restricted preparation time forward of the brand new season.

Tim Gajser

“I’m actually excited to hitch the Yamaha household. After greater than a decade with the identical model, it’s thrilling to be getting into a brand new chapter in 2026, and a change like this brings contemporary motivation. I can’t wait to get on the brand new bike! My first precedence will probably be getting comfy with it as rapidly as attainable. Not with the ability to experience till the brand new yr offers us restricted time to organize—however truthfully, I’m wanting ahead to the problem. As soon as the season begins, an important factor is to remain wholesome, be in good condition, and benefit from the racing. I’m prepared to offer it my all and hope we will battle for the title.”

Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Highway Racing Supervisor Alexandre Kowalski welcomed the signing, citing Gajser’s expertise, work ethic and championship pedigree as key belongings to the staff’s 2026 marketing campaign.

The transfer units up one of the crucial important rider transfers forward of the 2026 MXGP season, closing a extremely profitable chapter with Honda HRC and opening a brand new part of Gajser’s profession with Yamaha.

2026 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar
(Provisional)

• Rnd 1 – March 08 – ARGENTINA, Barlioche
• Rnd 2 – March 22 – SPAIN, Almonte
• Rnd 3 – March 29 – SWITZERLAND, Frauenfeld
• Rnd 4 – April 12 – ITALY, Riola Sardo, Sardegna
• Rnd 5 – April 19 – ITALY, Pietramurata, Trentino
• Rnd 6 – April 26 – TBA,TBA (WMX)
• Rnd 7 – 24 Might 24 – FRANCE, Lacapelle Marival (WMX)
• Rnd 8 – Might 31 – GERMANY, Teutschenthal (WMX)
• Rnd 9 – June 07 – LATVIA, Kegums
• Rnd 10 – June 21 – ITALY, Montevarchi (WMX)
• Rnd 11 – June 28 – PORTUGAL, Águeda
• Rnd 12 – July 05 – SOUTH AFRICA, Johannesburg
• JMXWC – July 05- CZECH REPUBLIC, Jinin
  (Junior MX World Championship)
• Rnd 13 – July 19 – GREAT BRITAIN, Foxhills
• Rnd 14 – July 26 – CZECH REPUBLIC, Loket
• Rnd 15 – August 02  – BELGIUM, Lommel, Flanders
• Rnd 16 – August 16 – SWEDEN, Uddevalla
• Rnd 17 – August 23 – THE NETHERLANDS, Arnhem (WMX)
• Rnd 18 – September 06 – TÜRKIYE, Afyonkarahisar
• Rnd 19 – September 13 – CHINA, Shanghai
• Rnd 20 – September 20 – AUSTRALIA, Darwin (WMX)
• MXoN – October 04 – FRANCE, Ernee
  (Motocross of Nations)