French rider Benoit Paturel could be set for a return to the MXGP paddock, we understand that JK Yamaha are preparing to draft him in as a temporary replacement rider while Isak Gifting continues his recovery from injury.
Last year, Paturel took on a fresh challenge by heading Stateside to contest the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. It marked his first full campaign in America and required the Frenchman to adapt quickly to unfamiliar tracks, different race formats and a stacked field of competition. Despite the learning curve, he managed to secure fifteenth in the 450MX championship standings riding under the HEP Suzuki awning.
Heading into the 2026 season, Paturel has been searching for a new opportunity, whether that meant remaining in America or making a return to the MXGP World Championship. We understand that an opportunity has now emerged, with JK Yamaha believed to have offered the experienced Frenchman a short-term fill-in role — an offer that Paturel is understood to have accepted.
First up on the agenda is expected to come this weekend at the Italian Championship round in Fermo, where Paturel is expected to make his debut with the team before turning his attention towards selected rounds of the MXGP World Championship aboard the JK Yamaha machine.
At this stage, it remains unclear how long the arrangement will last. The team are hopeful that Gifting can return to action during the second half of the season after recently resuming cycling. The target appears to be a comeback at Montevarchi on the 21st of June, although Agueda the following weekend is also being considered.
Much will depend on Gifting’s recovery timeline, but for Paturel the upcoming MXGP rounds could provide the ideal opportunity to remind paddock insiders of his speed and experience at world championship level.
We’ll bring you the news as soon as the JK Yamaha team make an announcement.
