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Australian teenager Kayden Minear’s arrival at Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing has been made official, signing as part of the amateur program for the 2025 season.

Minear, 17, finished second in the Australian MX2 championship and was the top-finishing local in the AUSX SX2 series, finishing fourth overall after standing on the podium in Melbourne.

It’s been well-known in recent months that the Western Australian would be departing his position at KTM Racing Team in Australia to move to the US, which came after he impressed in a guest appearance with the KTM Orange Brigade at Ironman’s Moto Combine on his way to a moto victory and second overall. He also contested the SMX Finals in the 250 World All-Stars.

“Joining the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team is truly a dream come true,” Minear commented. “From a young age, I dreamed of racing in America, and I am fortunate enough that Star Racing has given me the opportunity to do so. I can’t wait to get on track and start getting ready for the first race of the season.”

Minear’s arrival will see him join fellow Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing amateur team rider Cole Davies and new signing Carson Wood, the 15-year-old who will be riding 250B in 2025.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 team manager Jensen Hendler added: “We’re happy to have Kayden join our amateur team as he makes his full-team debut here in the US. He’s a very talented young rider and we feel his hard work and determination make him a great addition to our program. We’re excited to get to work preparing for Supercross Futures and to see what he can do next season.”

Minear will enter Supercross Futures and the Scouting Moto Combine races in 2025, in addition to the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. His official debut on the YZ250F will come at Glendale’s fourth round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship on February 1.