Rumour: Van Horebeek decides to stay with Yamaha for 2017!

It is thought that Jeremy Van Horebeek has decided to stay with the Factory Yamaha MXGP team for the 2017 season. Stefan Everts and Suzuki tried hard to sign him just like they attempted to sign him for the 2016 season but it looks like JVH has decided to remain loyal to Yamaha by signing a contract extension.

With JVH staying in the factory awning alongside the 2015 World Champion, Romain Febvre they need to make a decision on where Aleksandr Tonkov and Valentin Guillod will be placed next year.

Kemea Yamaha is thought to be an MX2 only team next year running Benoit Paturel, Brent Vandoninck and Maxime Renaux.

This is where it gets interesting as Valentin Guillod and his old team Standing Construct Yamaha have been spotted talking to each other during the Mantova GP with Yves Demaria also present. The previous problems they had seems to be behind them and it’s possible they will be back together for the 2017 season.

As for Aleksandr Tonkov, he has an MXGP Yamaha contract for next season. Wilvo and Standing Construct have decided to part ways for next year – Wilvo is currently the teams main sponsor.

Wilvo have been talking with Steve Turner about his team possibly switching to Yamaha for next year and that’s where Tonkov could end up. Shaun Simpson still has a contract with Steve for next year so he will be alongside the Russian in the awning if this materialises. Of course, switching manufacturer will be complicated so it’s not 100% certain yet and at this stage it’s still just a rumour but let’s see what happens.

We will continue to update you on the latest rumours within the MXGP paddock when we hear more.

Article: Andy McKinstry

Pic: Martin Plesnik