From a MotoGP nightmare to a dream in the mud: Yamaha shines in MXGP with the Gajser-Renaux duo

Yamaha is struggling in MotoGP, but it’s flying in the Motocross World Championship with Tim Gajser and Maxime Renaux, expected protagonists who are not disappointing.

Saying that Yamaha is living a nightmare in MotoGP might even be an understatement... But it’s definitely making a strong impression in Motocross, especially with its anticipated aces in MXGP. That was made even clearer last weekend, with linchpin Maxime Renaux and newcomer Tim Gajser recording an important double podium at the Swiss GP. After this third round of the 2026 World Championship, they are now 4th and 5th in the standings respectively, separated by just one point in a classification that is clearly still very tight. Yamaha is aiming high and, at least off-road, can reap great satisfaction in a season that’s still long.

From the moment of the sensational announcement and then the team launch, the anticipation for this MX season centered especially on the luxury new entry Tim Gajser. The former Honda standard-bearer, already a protagonist in the pre-season races, is showing an ever-improving feeling with the YZ450FM. Maxime Renaux, on the other hand, is no newcomer to Yamaha, lining up for the 5th consecutive year in the same colors. Two undisputed champions, but they represent experience (the Frenchman) and novelty (the Slovenian) for the Iwata brand: a mix that is already showing promising signs at the start of this MXGP World Championship.

In fact, looking at the results, #243 has started better: a Race 2 podium in Argentina, overall podium in Andalucia just ahead of his new teammate, and finally the aforementioned double podium in Switzerland, which for Renaux also means his first GP podium of 2026. As noted, we’re only at the beginning of a season that features 19 events around the world. Anything can still happen, but it’s already quite clear that Yamaha wants to be a major contender with both of its champions and has everything it takes to succeed.