The MJC Yamaha team had a busy season in 2025, starting the year with four riders under their awning. However, after Levi Townley suffered a broken leg at Arco di Trento, the team were effectively reduced to three active riders for much of the campaign.
Looking ahead to 2026, it appears the French-based squad will streamline their program and focus on just two riders. One of those will be Townley, who remains with the team. The hugely talented Kiwi was forced to abandon plans for a comeback at Lommel after breaking his leg again after getting back on the bike.
The second seat is strongly rumoured to be going to highly rated French prospect, Sleny Goyer. The youngster impressed during his rookie EMX125 campaign in 2025 before injury cut his season short. Despite that setback, Goyer showed flashes of real potential and with a strong winter behind him, he’ll be aiming to establish himself as a frontrunner in the highly competitive EMX125 class.
This year, MJC Yamaha came agonisingly close to securing the EMX125 title. Mano Faure battled right to the very last round at Lommel before narrowly missing out to Nicolo Alvisi in what was a very exciting championship battle. The team and Faure did manage to win the 125cc Junior World title this year in Romagné – a great achievement.
Faure will now step up to the EMX250 championship and, as previously reported, is expected to line up under the Factory Yamaha MX2 setup as their EMX250 rider.
Other MJC graduates, Jarne Bervoets and Dani Heitink, are also set to make the move into the EMX250 series in 2026. Bervoets looks likely to continue his progression aboard Yamaha machinery, while Heitink is tipped to switch brands for the next stage of his career.
If the Goyer deal is confirmed, MJC Yamaha will once again blend international and French talent, continuing their strong reputation for developing young riders into championship contenders.
As always, we’ll keep you updated with the latest news and rumours from around the paddock.
