Rumour: Maxime Renaux considering switch to MXGP in 2022?

Maxime Renaux is on the brink of something very special this year as he has a huge 85 championship points lead in the MX2 World Championship. It’s the French rider’s first year as a full factory rider in the MX2 class after signing with the Factory Yamaha team for the 2021 season and he’s been a breathe of fresh air.

However, there has already been speculation regarding Renaux’s future despite the fact he still has two years left in the MX2 World Championship (if Renaux won the title two years in a row he’d have to move up in 2023 due to only being allowed to defend your title for one year).

It’s thought that Renaux really enjoys the 450cc and is wanting to move up to the MXGP World Championship in 2022 to ride in the most competitive championship in the world.

It remains to be seen what Yamaha will decide to do and if they will partner him beside Jeremy Seewer and Glenn Coldenoff in MXGP – they might prefer the Frenchman to stay down in MX2 to potentially win another title for them if he can see out the championship in 2021.

There is thought to be room for one more MXGP rider for Yamaha in 2022 as Ben Watson isn’t expected to stay beyond the 2021 season. The Brit has been linked to Factory Kawasaki with IceOne expected to go green but it remains to been seen if that will materialize.

Factory Yamaha have been heavily interested in Jorge Prado but with Antonio Cairoli recently announcing his retirement from MXGP at the end of the season it’s very likely the Spaniard will stay with De Carli who are expected to make the switch to GasGas. Perhaps, Yamaha could turn to Renaux for the third MXGP slot but it remains to be seen and would this open the door for them to sign another MX2 rider to partner Benistant and Geerts or will they run a two rider line up in MX2? As we know more we will keep you updated.

Image: Yamaha