The de Baets Yamaha team have only been in the paddock for two years and have already achieved a lot. The team have had Benoit Paturel contesting the MXGP World Championship the past two years and have helped get his career back on track. The French rider has had plenty of top ten results the past two years under the structure ran by Danny de Baets.
This year the team signed up the sensation that is Lotte van Drunen. Working together with van Drunen the team made history as not only did they win the WMX world title but she became the youngest ever winner of the title.
The team also focused on the EMX125 championship with young guns Dex Kooiker, Brent Van de Walle and Tyla Van de Poel also under the awning this year.
We understand that after two years in the Motocross world and MXGP paddock, that they will close their doors with immediate effect. It’s another blow for the MXGP paddock after Standing Construct Honda announced they’ll also close their doors with F&H also leaving despite no official announcement yet.
It remains to be seen what the future will hold for Benoit Paturel and Lotte van Drunen but fingers crossed they’ll remain in the paddock and find other opportunities.
Paturel has confirmed he’s on the look out for another ride by posting the following update on social media:
“Thanks de Baets MX team and Corpellets for these 2 years in MXGP. I don’t know what the future is going to be but I don’t give up”.
We’ll continue to keep you updated with silly season rumours as and when we hear more.
