Yamaha Motor Europe extends its sincere thanks to Calvin Vlaanderen as the South African concludes his five-year tenure with Yamaha following the natural completion of his contract.

Vlaanderen joined the Yamaha family in 2020, immediately taking the fight to the MXGP class aboard the YZ450F. A rider renowned for his technical prowess and determination, he quickly proved his potential by charging to a stunning Grand Prix victory in the demanding sand of Sardinia in 2022. After three impressive seasons showcasing his talent with a Yamaha-supported outfit, his relentless drive and consistent podium-challenging speed earned him a well-deserved seat on the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team for the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.

The last two seasons have been a testament to Vlaanderen’s work ethic and fighting spirit. In 2024, he charged to two podium finishes and climbed to an impressive fourth in the world standings before a late-season injury halted his momentum. Bouncing back with trademark resilience in 2025, he returned with fire, adding three more hard-fought podiums to his tally.

Everyone at Yamaha Motor Europe wishes Calvin the very best in the next chapter of his career.

Alexandre Kowalski

Yamaha Motor Europe Off-Road Racing Manager

“On behalf of everyone at Yamaha Motor Europe, I would like to thank Calvin for his dedication, professionalism, and the many incredible moments we’ve shared throughout the past five years. Aside from his undeniable ability on a motorcycle, he is a great example of a top athlete – very humble, respectful and polite. It has been a genuine pleasure working with him. We wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”