Yamaha Motor Australia is ramping up its motocross presence in 2026, fielding multiple teams and riders across the ProMX Championship, following strong retail sales success for its motocross range.
Building on 2025’s unified presentation with Monster Energy, FOX, Dunlop, Yamalube and GYTR, Yamaha returns with four major teams plus a new squad, additional rider support, and international talent.
Monster Energy CDR Yamaha Team
Jed Beaton and Aaron Tanti return for another season. Beaton recovered from a three-month layoff due to a leg injury and praised the upgraded 2026 YZ450F, saying it didn’t take long to get back up to speed after testing before Christmas. “The results of the last two seasons have only driven my motivation to be better,” he said.
Tanti, the 2022 ProMX champ who has battled injuries, enters the season on a positive note after improving with each supercross round. “This year the focus has shifted slightly with the goal to be not just faster, but make better decisions on the track,” he explained.
Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Team
Noah Ferguson headlines the MX2 line-up after finishing on the podium in 2025. The Queensland rider believes the new bike and team can help him challenge for the championship. “I need to be more consistent and just close the gap between my best days and my worst,” Ferguson stated.
Two-time IA2 Japanese champion Soya Nakajima joins for MX2, contesting ProMX and the MXGP of Darwin. The arrangement between Yamaha Japan and YMA rewards his domestic success with international racing experience.
In a major coup for women’s racing, two-time AMA Women’s Motocross Champion Lachlan “Lala” Turner will contest the four-round WMX championship on a two-year deal. She’ll split time between AMA and ProMX championships, crossing the Pacific multiple times throughout the season.
Monster Energy WBR Yamaha Team
The team fields three riders for 2026. New Zealand’s Hayden Draper, mentored by Josh Coppins and Ben Townley, has impressed since his ProMX debut last year. The 16-year-old is already winning rounds in NZ’s MX2 championship.
Jack Deveson earned his first professional manufacturer ride after strong MX3 performances and a runner-up finish in supercross. Seth Burchell rounds out the MX2 team, relocating to Victoria to race full-time.
GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing
YJR expands from 11 to 13 riders, adding Archie Blanchette (NSW) and Ollie Thredgold (SA) in the 65cc class. The program supports riders across motocross, supercross, and off-road disciplines.
Additional Support
New team Berry Sweet Yamaha joins the paddock with Regan Duffy and Sonny Pellicano racing white 70th anniversary YZ450Fs in MX1. Yamaha also supports SRD Racing in WA, plus Koby Hantis, Ky Woods (MX3 to MX2), and Madi Simpson (WMX).
BLU CRU Bonus Bucks
Yamaha continues rewarding privateers with bonus money for podium finishes, offering up to $50,000 for an MX1 championship win.
“The sales success of the YZ range in the last couple of years has allowed us to pour that money back into racing,” said Motorsport Manager Scott Bishop. ProMX round one kicks off in March.
Bonus Bucks Breakdown
MX1:
Race: 1st – $500
Round: 1st – $15,000 / 2nd – $7,500 / 3rd – $3,000
Championship: 1st – $50,000 / 2nd – $25,000 / 3rd – $10,000
MX2:
Race: 1st – $500
Round: 1st – $10,000 / 2nd – $4,000 / 3rd – $2,000
Championship: 1st – $40,000 / 2nd – $20,000 / 3rd – $10,000
MX3
Race: $500
Round: $6,000 / 2nd – $3,000/ 3rd – $1,000
Championship: 1st – $30,000 / 2nd – $15,000 / 3rd – $5,000
WMX
Race: 1st – $500
Round: 1st – $2,000 / 2nd – $1,000 / 3rd – $500
Championship: 1st – $15,000 / 2nd – $5,000 / 3rd – $2,500.
# Money paid on invoice to Yamaha Motor Australia
# Riders must be entered on a Yamaha and complete all track sessions on a Yamaha.
# Yamaha logos to be visible on the bike.
# All amounts EX GST.
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