There is no doubt, when team owner, Hans Corvers wants to reach a dream, he does so with some of the best riders in the World and with Maxime Renaux, Jago Geerts and Calvin Vlaanderen, anything is possible in 2025.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MXGP factory team is one that demands respect and as we saw in Argentina two weekends ago, the Frenchman, Renaux, took the victory and goes into this weekends Spanish Grand Prix with the red plate.

A World championship is the goal in 2025 and Yamaha media lady, Nikki Malin put together a nice insight into these three exciting athletes and you can read it below.

In a journey marked by dedication and triumph, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team has solidified its position at the summit of Yamaha Motor Europe’s MXGP racing endeavors. From its humble beginnings as a satellite MX2 team, the team has evolved into a powerhouse, earning the prestigious status of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team in 2020.

Under the ownership of Hans Corvers, the team has earned recognition as a nurturing ground for young, talented riders. Key milestones include guiding Benoit Paturel to a bronze medal in the 2016 MX2 World Championship, where Paturel secured the team's inaugural Qualifying Race win, Grand Prix race win, and overall Grand Prix victory in 2017.

A strategic reshuffle in 2018 introduced Ben Watson, Vsevolod Brylyakov, and Jago Geerts, with Watson and Geerts emerging as breakout stars. Geerts, in his rookie season, earned the prestigious 'most promising young rider' award.Success continued in subsequent years, with Geerts securing a maiden Grand Prix race win and the MX2 bronze medal in 2019.In 2020, Geerts emerged as a formidable title contender, showcasing his skills with 156 laps led, 14 race victories, and 12 podium finishes, including six Grand Prix wins. This performance earned Geerts his second MX2 Championship medal.

The historic year 2021 marked the team's quarter-century with Yamaha, with Maxime Renaux leading the team to its first-ever MX2 World Championship title, and Geerts retaining his world number two ranking. The team achieved a groundbreaking feat by securing both the gold and silver medals in the MX2 World Championship, while successfully defending the Manufacturers' world title with the powerful YZ250F.

In 2022, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team dominated with nine Pole Positions, 16 race wins, and 22 podium finishes, including seven Grand Prix victories. Geerts secured his fourth MX2 World Championship medal, falling just 4 points short of the title. The team's prowess culminated in Yamaha retaining the Manufacturer’s World Title for a third consecutive season.

Undeterred by injuries, the team maintained its winning form in 2023, retaining title contenders Geerts and Benistant. Despite challenges, Geerts' 13 race wins and eight Grand Prix victories, along with Benistant’s two race and Grand Prix wins, secured Yamaha its fourth consecutive Manufacturers’ World Title. Geerts concluded his illustrious MX2 career with a fifth championship medal, earning silver.

2024 marked a new chapter for the team with their move to the premier class. Driven by the dream of winning the MXGP World Championship, the Belgium-based team is determined to bounce back from a challenging first year and contend for the 2025 MXGP World Title with Maxime Renaux, Jago Geerts, and Calvin Vlaanderen, all campaigning Yamaha’s cutting-edge YZ450FM. With renewed focus and a powerful lineup, the team is set to make waves in the 2025 season, turning their world title dream into a bold pursuit of victory.

Maxime Renaux's journey with Yamaha has been nothing short of remarkable. From his early successes in 2015, where he won three EMX125 races and was crowned Junior 125cc World Champion, to his incredible achievements in more recent years, the young Frenchman has shown a natural talent for motocross.

His MX2 debut in 2018 saw him race five rounds of the FIM MX2 World Championship as a wildcard rider, and by 2019, he finished his first full-term in MX2, securing a maiden podium finish and a respectable seventh place overall.

In 2020, Renaux made it clear that he was a force to be reckoned with, finishing third in the MX2 World Championship and claiming his first ever Grand Prix win.

The 2021 season marked a turning point for Renaux as he joined the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team. His impact was immediate, with 14 podiums, 23 top-three race finishes, and five Grand Prix wins under his belt. This incredible performance led Renaux to become the first Yamaha rider to win the MX2 World Championship since 2007.

Renaux's achievements continued in 2022 as he joined Yamaha's top-tier motocross team, competing in the premier MXGP class aboard the YZ450FM. Despite being a rookie, the 22-year-old quickly adapted to the more powerful bike and consistently challenged seasoned 450cc riders. His impressive season included four qualifying race wins, six championship race wins, and seven podium finishes, earning him a well-deserved fourth place in the world ranking.

In 2023, the ‘959’ was an instant title contender. The Frenchman powered his YZ450FM to a thrilling Grand Prix victory at round three and a podium finish at round four before his momentum was interrupted by an unfortunate setback—a non-crash-related injury—that sidelined him for much of the season.

Despite the hiccup, Renaux’s staunch dedication and enormous talent saw him return at the end of the 2023 season where he scored another podium finish at the MXGP of Turkey, before leading Team France to a hair-raising victory on home soil at the biggest and most prestigious race of the year, the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations.

Looking to 2025, Renaux is back after another injury-struck season and even more determined to build on his impressive track record of eight Grand Prix victories and 30 podium finishes while vying for the MXGP crown.

Personal Details:

Date of birth: 17/05/2000

Place of birth: Sedan

Nationality: French

Height: 182cm

Hobbies: Any two-wheel or four-wheel sports

Career Summary:

2023: 10th MXGP World Championship

2022: 4th MXGP World Championship

2021: MX2 World Champion

2020: 3rd MX2 World Championship

2019: 7th MX2 World Championship

2015: Junior Motocross World Champion 125cc

Hailing from one of the most prolific countries in motocross, Jago Geerts was a must-have signing for the Belgium-based Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team. The now 23-year-old from Balen, Belgium has already laid an impressive foundation for success. He was twice European Champion, once on an 85cc in 2014 and again on a 125ccc in 2016, and in that same year the then 15-year-old was crowned Junior Motocross World Champion in the 125cc class.

In 2018, the youngster turned pro and entered his first full season in MX2 with the team where he finished eighth and was awarded ‘Rookie of the Year’.

In his second term in MX2, the Geerts stood on the podium on seven occasions. He was also one of only three race winners in 2019 where he managed to secure the MX2 World Championship bronze medal at the eighteenth and final round.

Over the past four seasons, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, Geerts has fought for the MX2 world title. During that time, the ’93’ has celebrated 45 race wins and 55 podium finishes on his way to three championship silver medals.

Jago 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 his rookie MXGP campaign in 2024 was cut short by a complex elbow injury at the season opener in March, Geerts remains a formidable talent.

With his sights now set on a fresh start in 2025, the 24-year-old returns with renewed determination and confidence aboard his YZ450FM.

Personal Details:

Date of birth: 21 – 04 - 2000

Place of birth: Geel

Nationality: Belgian

Hobbies: BMX

Career Summary:

2023: 2nd MX2 World Championship

2022: 2nd MX2 World Championship

2021: 2nd MX2 World Championship

2020: 2nd MX2 World Championship

2019: 2nd Monster Energy Motocross of Nations (Team Belgium)

2019: 3rd MX2 World Championship

2018: 8th MX2 World Championship

2017: 8th European Championship EMX250

2016: 1st Junior Motocross World Championship 125cc

2016: 1st European Championship EMX125

2014: 1st European Championship EMX85

2014: 5th Junior World Championship 85cc

Born in the vibrant landscapes of South Africa and now a long-time resident of The Netherlands, Calvin Vlaanderen has carved an admirable name for himself in MXGP.

Over his remarkable career, the tall and determined South African has notched up an impressive 12 podium finishes, which includes two Grand Prix victories. The highlight of his journey was reached in 2021, when he powered his Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Supported MX Team backed YZ450F to an electrifying double moto Grand Prix win in the premiere class at the MXGP of Sardinia in Riola-Sardo.

Adding to his illustrious achievements, Vlaanderen played a pivotal role as a valued member of the Dutch team during the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in 2019 at the Dutch TT Circuit Assen. His relentless performances, coupled with his teammates' stellar rides, catapulted the Dutch team to a historic first-ever Motocross of Nations victory—a momentous occasion celebrated by their home crowd.

In 2020, Vlaanderen made the leap from MX2 to the premier class, joining Yamaha for his rookie season in MXGP. Despite already proving the competitiveness of satellite equipment and Yamaha’s production YZ450F with a triumphant victory in Sardinia, Vlaanderen persevered in his pursuit of excellence and secured a well-deserved spot on the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team for 2024, a season in which he made remarkable strides in both speed and confidence.

Despite a minor pre-season injury, the determined #10 showed impressive resilience. He secured two podium finishes and climbed 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.

Profile:

Date of Birth: 24/06/1996

Place of Birth: Cape Town, South Africa

Nationality: South African

Height: 187cm

Hobbies: Exercising, being outdoors & spending time with friends

Career Summary:

2023: 6th MXGP World Championship

2022: 7th MXGP World Championship

2021: 14th MXGP World Championship

2020: 16th MXGP World Championship

2019: 8th MX2 World Championship

2019: 1st Motocross of Nations (Team Holland)

2018: 6th MX2 World Championship

2018: 2nd Motocross of Nations (Team Holland)

2017: 13th MX2 World Championship

2016: 12th MX2 World Championship

2013: 3rd EMX125 European Championship

2013: 2nd Junior Motocross World Championship

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