The eight-time Motocross World Champion Stefan Everts will remain with the factory Yamaha team for the 2006 season, squashing any rumors that he might be migrating to Suzuki or move to the US to race the Nationals next year. The Belgian star will contest the MX1 Motocross World Championship series aboard the YZ450FM with the official factory Yamaha team, run by Michele and Carlo Rinaldi.
Stefan, 32, is on track for a record ninth world title this season. He currently leads the MX1 standings with 38 points over second-place Joshua Coppins. Everts has already won five GPs this year.
Michele Rinaldi, Stefan Everts and Carlo Rinaldi
Everts joined Yamaha in 2001 and has delivered a world title in each of his four years on the dominant blue bikes. He won back-to-back world titles in the 500 class in 2001 and 2002 and the following year he added the MXGP world title and the 125 vice-world title to his already impressive tally. Last year Stefan won the MX1 world title. Everts also won two MX des Nations titles (2003 and 2004) and one ISDE title (2003) with Yamaha.
"My partnership with Yamaha and the Rinaldis has been very successful," said Everts, "There has been no reason for me to change. The experience of the team and their understanding is very valuable to me and they know exactly how I work and what I need. Committing to Yamaha for another year came very natural and I'm really looking forward to help developing the new aluminium frame and engine of the 2006 YZ450FM."
Everts with his son Liam
Laurens Klein Koerkamp of Yamaha Motor Europe's Racing Division, added: "Working with Stefan has always been a true pleasure and we are delighted to continue our relationship with the greatest motocross rider ever. To have Stefan with us next year means that again we will have a very powerful package of bike, rider and team in place. Everts has been an amazing ambassador for Yamaha and for the sport. I'm confident that we can go on to achieve more success in the remaining part of this season and next year."
Michele Rinaldi, Team manager of the Yamaha Motocross Team stated: "As always, we want to achieve the best possible result next season and Stefan still proves that he is the very best. It is that simple. We are very happy to work with him and I think the secret of our success lies in the strong mutual respect that exists between the team, Yamaha and Stefan."