Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to confirm the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider line-up for 2026. Latvian brothers Karlis (20) and Janis Reisulis (17) will race the Factory YZ250F in the MX2 World Championship in 2026.
Yamaha and the Dutch Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 teamstructuur Hutten Metaal Racing have expressed their confidence in the young Latvian. Karlis will remain with the factory team, while the brand newEMX250 champion Janis Reisulis Promoted to the MX2 class. Together they form a young, ambitious, and talented duo for the MX2 GPs in 2026.
Last season, Thibault Benistant, Rick Elzinga, and Karlis Reisulis rode for the Yamaha MX2 factory team. The first two left the team because they reached the MX2 maximum age limit of 23.
Karlis Reisulis remains in office
After his first full season in MX2 in 2025, Karlis Reisulis (20) to be part of the team. The Latvian rider quickly adapted to the 250cc elite class. According to Yamaha, Reisulis made “constant progress in speed, technique and consistency”.
In the final World Championship standings, the eldest of the Reisulis brothers finished 11th, one point ahead of Cas Valk, who missed the last two Grands Prix. Karlis's best Grand Prix was in Australia, where he finished 7th out of 17 competitors. His goal for 2026 is to regularly compete in the top ten.
Factory promotion for Janis Reisulis
The 17 year old Janis Reisulis continues to climb rapidly within the Yamaha Racing structure. After his title in the EMX125 (2023) on a GYTR-equipped YZ125, he won the EMX250 title this season. With 10 series victories, five day victories en seven podium places he proved his exceptional potential and earned his place in the factory team for 2026.
Karlis Reisulis – Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider: I'm thrilled to be staying with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team for another year. It's a strong team with one goal, and everyone is working incredibly hard to achieve it. My goal for next season is to continue improving, consistently finish in the top ten, and also challenge for top-five positions. I'm excited and ready to go!
Janis Reisulis – Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider: Moving up to MX2 brings me closer to realizing my dreams—and doing it with a factory team makes it extra special. The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team is very professional. We all work hard, and I know that my brother and I can achieve something special together. My goal is to finish every weekend and keep fighting. My mentality is simple: I always ride to win.
Thorsten Lentink – Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Specialist: “We're thrilled that both Karlis and Janis will remain with Yamaha in 2026. Karlis has made tremendous progress since joining in 2024 and deserves this opportunity. For Janis, promotion was the logical next step after winning both EMX titles. While it's special to have two brothers on the same team, we're primarily focused on talent and results. With these two young, driven, and fast riders, we have a strong and competitive duo who will lift each other and the team to a higher level.
Photos: Yamaha
