MXGP, New Year shake-up: Gajser confirms move to Yamaha and vows to fight for the title

It had been talked about since last summer, now it’s official: Tim Gajser is done with Honda and is moving to Yamaha.

After five World titles between MX2 and MXGP, the Slovenian superstar needed fresh air and new motivation. The Motocross of Nations was his last appearance with the golden-wing brand. The move to Yamaha was announced on an unusual date, January 1st, that is, right after the expiration of the contractual embargo with Honda. He will join Frenchman Maxime Renaux, one of the potential MXGP frontrunners who has yet to fully break through due to repeated injuries. On paper, it’s a dream team.

Tim Gajser boasts a record worthy of a true superstar. The MX2 World Championship (under 23) he won in 2015 laid the first stone of a formidable string of successes. Less than a year later he claimed the first of his four MXGP World titles, the top class of Motocross. In his career he has won 52 GPs, with 97 moto wins and 125 podium finishes. Last season he started as a dominator, creating a gap in the first three opening GPs, before being stopped by a serious injury that kept him sidelined for many months. Without that setback, world champion Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) would not have sealed the title so easily, but it’s well known that in motocross injuries are part of the game.

Here are Tim Gajser’s first words as a Yamaha rider after over a decade as a leading rider for Honda HRC. “It’s exciting to start a new chapter in 2026, and a change like this brings fresh motivation. I can’t wait to get on the new bike! My priority will be to feel comfortable as quickly as possible. Not being able to ride until the new year gives us little time to prepare, but honestly I can’t wait to face the challenge. Once the season starts, the most important thing is to stay healthy, be fit, and enjoy racing. I’m ready to give my all and I hope we can fight for the title.”