Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to confirm that Calvin Vlaanderen and Jago Geerts will remain with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team until at least the end of 2025. Both riders, alongside Maxime Renaux, will campaign the factory Yamaha YZ450FM in the premier class of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Maxime Renaux, the only rider to start the 2024 season with a contract extending into 2025, is gearing up for his fourth season with the YZ450FM. Despite facing a challenging foot injury over the past two seasons, the 24-year-old Frenchman has remained resilient and focused. With an impressive track record of eight Grand Prix victories and 30 podium finishes, Renaux is determined to fight for the premier class title in 2025.
After joining the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team at the end of 2023, Calvin Vlaanderen has made remarkable strides in both speed and confidence. Despite a minor pre-season injury, the determined #10 showed impressive resilience, climbing to fourth place in the MXGP World Championship standings before a knee injury cut his season short. Having secured 14 podium finishes and two Grand Prix wins throughout his career, Vlaanderen is eager to build on his success in 2025.
Jago Geerts started his professional career with Hans Corvers’s team in 2018 and is excited to remain with the same familiar squad for an eighth consecutive season. Although Geerts missed most of the 2024 season due to a complicated elbow injury sustained at the season opener in March, he remains a promising force. With an impressive record of 55 podium finishes, 24 Grand Prix wins, and five MX2 championship medals, all with Yamaha, Geerts brings a wealth of talent and potential as he continues to transition to the YZ450FM and the MXGP class.
With Renaux, Vlaanderen and Geerts making up the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team for 2025, Yamaha wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Andrea Bonacorsi for his contribution to Yamaha’s success over the past four seasons. During this time, the young Italian celebrated multiple EMX race wins and podiums aboard a GYTR-kitted YZ250F, with the highlight his remarkable 2023 EMX250 campaign, where he secured the title with a flawless record of podium finishes.
Calvin Vlaanderen – Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider
“I’m really happy and excited to be staying with Yamaha for another season. It will be my fifth consecutive year in blue. It helps a lot to know the bike and team well. We have good experience from 2024 and can really build off of that going into a new season—not only with the bike, but also with myself and the team crew. From here, the plan is to go into the off-season with confidence and come out swinging in 2025, fighting for podiums and wins from Round One.”
Jago Geerts – Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider
“I’m happy to stay with Yamaha for another year. I have been with Yamaha and the Kemea team for my entire career, so it’s nice to continue on this path as I prepare for my first full season in the MXGP class. Obviously, this year, I couldn’t show my speed on the YZ450FM yet, so the goal is to have a full and healthy season next year and to be back on the podium as soon as I can.”
Alexandre Kowalski – Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Road Racing Manager
“We are very happy to continue with both Calvin and Jago. We have a rich history with Jago, who has been with Yamaha throughout his entire professional career. Together, we have achieved significant success, including four silver medals in MX2 and 24 Grand Prix wins, creating many happy memories. We were eager to see him shine in the premier class on the YZ450FM. Unfortunately, an injury at the first round in Argentina delayed his progress. We believe Jago deserves a fair opportunity in the MXGP category and are confident he will perform well, as the bike complements his smooth and technical riding style. Therefore, it was important for us to keep him for the 2025 season. We are also pleased to continue another season with Calvin. He has been with Yamaha since 2020 and has earned his place on the factory team through his results as a satellite rider. Calvin stepped up to the factory team this season and has met all our expectations, demonstrating hard work, dedication, speed, and skill. With Calvin, Jago, and Maxime, we have an incredible team and look forward to a strong and successful season in 2025.”
Words and Images by Yamaha
