Factory Yamaha Europe Introduces New Organization and 2020 Team Structure

“Changing a structure that has proven to work is always a challenge, however the only way to remain competitive and to be capable to evolve is to maximize the potential of all available resources. The experience Michele and his crew have developed in those decades, together with together with the growth of support from Yamaha Motor Company in Japan, will secure our new Factory Team riders in MXGP and MX2 the best Yamaha MX racing package. I therefore would like to thank him, Louis and Hans for the energy they are already putting in the new organization… while of course we are all concentrated on finishing the current season as protagonists.”

“2020 will be an exciting year for Yamaha with two Factory teams, and with Michele Rinaldi still at the heart as the lead developer of the YZ450FM and YZ250FM bikes. I have full confidence in the teams and the riders we have going into the 2020 season. We have secured a strong line-up to challenge the MXGP and MX2 crowns, with Jeremy Seewer, Gautier Paulin and Arnaud Tonus in MXGP and Jago Geerts and Ben Watson in MX2. 

I am really happy to keep Jeremy Seewer inside the Yamaha Family for a third year. He is still really young and has already made incredible progress as he looks to finish his second season inside the premiere class as the vice World Champion. He will be strengthened by teammates Arnaud Tonus and Gautier Paulin. This year, Arnaud has had the best season of his MXGP class career, while Gautier has also been strong as the rider that is currently third in the championship standings. All three riders are inside the top-four which confirms Yamaha’s strength inside the MXGP class and the capabilities of the YZ450F.

In MX2, Jago has had an incredible second season and is booming as a youngster on the rise. Ben has also proven his skill-set many times throughout the season and fits perfectly into the MX2 team. There is a really positive atmosphere within the teams with these five riders and it is a pleasure to have them all back onboard with Yamaha for another fantastic season. I really look forward to seeing what we can achieve.“

“We’re starting a new chapter of what has been an amazing tale that started a long time ago. When I first started out, my ambition was to start my own team, and I did this, with Yamaha since 1992. Since around 1998, I started to work directly with the manufacturer and with the development of Yamaha’s YZ motorcycles, while managing my own team. Over the years, my relationship with Yamaha in Japan and in Europe has developed to the point that I have been able to represent the manufacturer more than before, providing a service and support to the company. So, the story has gone from running my own team to starting our own development, and now it’s the time for the next chapter. A time for change where we will represent the manufacturer more than ever before with a focus more on being a support network and stepping away from running my own team. This is certainly a big change, also for my staff who have made all of our achievements over the years possible, but I am optimistic for the future where together we will make the most from this new adventure.”

“Since the beginning, I had the intention to build a long-term relationship with Yamaha as they have a strong strategy and a great racing philosophy that fits perfectly with our team. Like us, they also look to build strong long-term relationships, which I like. For my team to reach Factory status is an incredible feeling. I really look forward to the future, to working with the Factory bikes, and with Michele (Rinaldi) and with the Japanese technicians as well. For me, it’s like a dream come true and an enormous step for us as a team.”

“We have been with Yamaha for 23 years. We started the KEMEA team in 1997, so we are nearing a 25-year celebration, but we get to celebrate a little bit earlier with the announcement that we will become the new Factory MX2 team in 2020. I am really happy with that, and I am extremely thankful to many people throughout the years who have helped the team get to this point. We have a goal of fighting for the world title, as everybody wishes for when you are racing at this level, and we are getting closer to that. I am sure that in the last 15 years it has been extremely difficult for any satellite team in MX2 to clinch the title. It is so important to have Factory support, so this transition has allowed us to take one step toward our goal and with this I hope we can challenge the for the victory in 2020.”