Image: Supplied.

Newly-crowned EMX250 champion Thibault Benistant has been signed by the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team for the 2021 world championship, joining Jago Geerts and Maxime Renaux.

The 18-year-old has already captured European titles in EMX250 and EMX125 with Yamaha, rewarded with an elusive seat in the three-rider factory team aboard the works YZ250F.

“I am really proud to move into the Yamaha factory team,” Benistant said. “I have to thank Yamaha and Hans [Corvers] for making it happen, they have made it possible for me to enter my first year in MX2 with the best bike in the paddock. This is something I really look forward to and something I am really proud of.”

Yamaha Motor Europe off-road racing manager Alexandre Kowalski said: “Yamaha is really happy to have Thibault join the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team. Thibault is a pure product of Yamaha’s program and has a lot of potential. He has been with Yamaha for many years, since 2010.

“He entered the EMX125 class with Yamaha and our Official team, MJC Yamaha Official EMX125, where they nurtured him and helped him develop the foundation of a true champion. We have to thank MJC for that and then he moved into the Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 team, where they also did an incredible job in improving his strength and race craft on a GYTR kitted YZ250F.

“Thibault took another step up the Yamaha Racing pyramid and was crowned European champion in the EMX250 class and now he has been signed to the factory team. For us, Thibault is a perfect example of how a rider can develop and progress within the Yamaha Family, and we look forward to celebrating even more championships with him.”

After achieving six round wins and seven podiums on his way to this year’s EMX250 crown, Benistant will make his MX2 World Championship debut this Sunday at Lommel 3 with the support of the Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 team, in which he won the European championship.