All good things must come to an end and after eight memorable years together, Jago Geerts and Yamaha have decided to part ways. The Belgian was with the factory Yamaha setup ever since stepping into the MX2 World Championship, where he developed into one of the most technically gifted and stylish riders to watch. Over the course of his time with the team, Geerts collected 24 Grand Prix victories, 45 individual race wins, and an incredible 55 podium finishes – a record that firmly places him among one of the best riders never to have lifted an MX2 world title. He came agonizingly close, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
When Geerts finally made the move up to the MXGP World Championship in 2024, the anticipation was sky-high. After his fierce battle with Eli Tomac at the MXoN in RedBud, many expected him to be a front-runner in the premier class. However, his rookie season didn’t quite go to plan. A series of injuries disrupted his rhythm and prevented him from building momentum, making it difficult to show the consistent speed that had become his trademark in MX2.
The 2025 season, though, represented a step in the right direction. Geerts showed resilience and flashes of his talent, ultimately finishing twelfth in the MXGP World Championship standings. One of the highlights of his season came at Lugo, where he stormed to a sensational qualifying race victory – a timely reminder of what he’s capable of when everything clicks. He still hasn’t reached his full potential in MXGP.
So, what comes next for Jago Geerts? Several teams were believed to have shown interest but we understand that Geerts has decided to take on a fresh challenge by signing with the Beta factory team for the 2026 season. It would be a big coup for Beta to sign a rider of Geerts’ calibre.
Interestingly, Geerts isn’t expected to be the only former Yamaha rider making the move. It’s understood that Rick Elzinga, who has been part of Yamaha’s MX2 setup, is also expected to join Beta for 2026. If confirmed, it would mean Beta are signing not one but two riders from the Yamaha camp, reshaping their lineup entirely as they head into the new season.
As for Ben Watson, despite having a contract in place to stay with Beta for another year, the Brit is now expected to move elsewhere for 2026. The British talent has played a key role in helping the brand progress in MXGP.
With the silly season in full swing and team announcements expected over the coming weeks and months, the paddock is buzzing with speculation, and we’ll continue to keep you updated the best we can.
