Is Monster Energy pulling the plug on Yamaha?

Will Yamaha be the next manufacturer to lose Monster Energy's support in European motocross, following Kawasaki and Triumph?

Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but this is exactly the rumor currently circulating in the paddock. According to our information, Monster Energy is planning to end its financial involvement with Yamaha Motor Europe in the MXGP sector.

That would be a significant change. Monster and Yamaha have been synonymous in European motocross for years. The green claw is not only prominently displayed on the motorcycles, but also in the names of the two factory teams in MXGP and MX2. Tim Gajser and Maxime Renaux will officially compete under the Monster banner again in 2026. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP.

However, things have changed quite a bit at Monster recently. Following changes at Kawasaki, the collaboration with Triumph was also terminated. At the same time, Monster has joined forces with Honda HRC.

And that could be where the focus lies in the future.

All on Honda?

Rumors from the paddock suggest that Monster might focus its future support in European Grand Prix racing on Honda HRC. A potential departure from Yamaha would therefore be less of a withdrawal from the Motocross World Championship and more of a budget reallocation.

If you only look at the sporting side, you can at least understand the idea.

With Jeffrey Herlings, Honda has just secured the MXGP World Champion right in its own tent. The Dutchman switched to the CRF450R after 16 years with KTM and clinched the title in his very first season with Honda. Joining him is Tom Vialle, a two-time MX2 World Champion who has returned to the GP scene after his years in the USA.

Monster would thus have the current king of MXGP at HRC, and with Vialle a rider from whom there is still a lot to come.

And the story might not end there. Giacomo Gariboldi and HRC also seem to want to build something in MX2. However, this requires the right riders. Should Honda find them, Monster could have a prominent presence in both MXGP and MX2 within a single structure.

Whether this is the exact reason behind a possible departure from Yamaha, we don't know. We're still talking about information from the paddock and not a confirmed decision.

And who will pay Tim Gajser then?

However, a Monster exit could prove interesting for Yamaha in another respect. Tim Gajser likely didn't switch from Honda to Yamaha for just a new pair of gloves and a fuel voucher.

The Slovenian is a five-time world champion, was one of the biggest signings of last winter, and was expected to lead Yamaha back to the MXGP title. When his signing was announced, Yamaha itself spoke of a "landmark signing." Gajser came after more than a decade with Honda and apparently also received considerable freedom within Yamaha's new structure.

The exact amount Yamaha is paying the 29-year-old is not publicly known. However, it's reasonable to assume that a rider of his caliber would command a significant portion of the rider budget. And with that, the rumor of a huge salary suddenly takes on a second dimension.

Should a major investor actually withdraw, Who will cover Gajser's salary in the future?

Yamaha itself could fill the resulting gap. A new title sponsor would also be conceivable. Perhaps a potential Monster withdrawal won't ultimately affect the riders' budgets to the extent one might assume from the outside.

However, another rumor has surfaced. In recent weeks, Gajser's name has repeatedly come up in the paddock in connection with his future. Kawasaki.

So far, there is no official confirmation of this, and one shouldn't read too much into it. Gajser was explicitly signed by Yamaha for 2026 and beyond. Reports at the time of his transfer indicated a two-year contract with an additional option.

A change would therefore at least require explanation.

Nevertheless, it is interesting that these talks are arising now, at the same time as there is talk of Monster's possible withdrawal from Yamaha.

Do the two rumors fit together?

That's exactly where you need to be careful.

Just because Monster might be leaving and Gajser is being linked to Kawasaki in the paddock, doesn't mean that one thing is related to the other.

It's entirely possible that two unrelated stories are unfolding in the paddock simultaneously. And anyone familiar with the driver market knows how quickly a conversation can turn into interest, and interest can suddenly become a supposedly finalized contract.

I wouldn't completely dismiss the combination, though.

Gajser isn't just a regular factory rider for Yamaha. His signing was a clear signal that they intend to fight for the world championship title again. His financial package likely reflects this. If a partner of Monster Energy's stature does indeed withdraw, this money will have to come from somewhere.

And Kawasaki?

With Romain Febvre's announced departure, the question will inevitably arise as to which rider will lead the MXGP project in 2027. A five-time world champion would certainly be a good answer.

That's all it is at the moment.

There is no confirmation that Gajser will leave Yamaha. Likewise, it is not confirmed that Kawasaki has made him a concrete offer or that a potential Monster exit will affect his future at Yamaha.

But the three names Monster, Yamaha and Gajser They are likely to occur together more frequently in the coming weeks.

Because if Monster does indeed leave, Yamaha won't just have to redesign a rather large green patch on their motorcycle and team jersey. Far more importantly, they'll face the question of how to finance an MXGP program at this level and a rider like Tim Gajser in the future.

And if Kawasaki actually makes an approach at the same time, a sponsorship rumor could very quickly become a topic for the rider market as well.