Yamaha has confirmed a major renewed commitment to Australian off-road racing for 2026, locking in a strong line-up of factory-backed teams, supported riders and grassroots initiatives across the Australian Enduro Championship (AEC). Press: YMA.

With off-road riding deeply embedded in Australian motorcycling culture, Yamaha says its WR250F and WR450F models continue to be heavily influenced by local conditions, terrain and rider demands. Combined with Yamaha’s long-standing passion for competition, that connection underpins the brand’s ongoing involvement in the AEC as naming rights partner and major supporter of the sport.

ShopYamaha Off Road Team Leads the Charge:

Headlining Yamaha’s off-road assault once again is the ShopYamaha Off Road Team, managed by former Australian champion AJ Roberts. Long regarded as the benchmark in Australian enduro racing, the team returns in 2026 with a two-rider attack across the E1 and E2 classes. Reigning 2022 World Champion Wil Ruprecht remains with the team in E2, while New Zealand motocross star Maximus Purvis has been confirmed as the team’s E1 rider.

Ruprecht returned to Australia in late 2024 and immediately found success in the 2025 AEC, winning the opening round and engaging in a season-long title battle with Daniel Milner. While softer, sand-based rounds proved challenging, Ruprecht has focused heavily on improving his sand riding during the off-season, knowing those conditions could be pivotal in his 2026 championship campaign.

Now based in New South Wales, Ruprecht says his preparation has been more rounded this time around, with versatility a key focus as the opening round in Roma approaches in March.

Joining him is Purvis, who impressed on debut at Kyogle in 2025. Despite no prior AEC experience, the Kiwi motocross champion charged to an E1 podium and top-six Pro Enduro result, quickly convincing both himself and the team that a full season assault made sense. Purvis will switch to off-road competition following the conclusion of the New Zealand MX1 Championship in February.

Yamaha JGR Off Road Team Returns:

Yamaha legend Jess Gardiner will again lead the Yamaha JGR Off Road Team in 2026 after briefly contemplating retirement at the end of a demanding 2025 season. Refreshed after a short break, the multi-time Australian and World Enduro Champion is back with renewed motivation.

Gardiner will be joined by Jeremy Carpentier in the E1 class, while junior talent Lorna Lock continues with the team in the Junior Girls category. Lock was a standout in her first full AEC season aboard a YZ85, taking multiple round wins regardless of conditions and establishing herself as one of Australia’s most promising female off-road riders.

Gardiner says mentoring Lock has become one of the most rewarding aspects of her racing, even as she continues to push herself at the front of the field.

Strong Yamaha Support Across the Field:

Yamaha’s BLU CRU Support program continues in 2026, backing riders Cooper Sheidow, Jett Yarnold and Fraser Higlett, all of whom are capable of challenging for class wins. With Purvis also contesting E1, Yamaha blue is expected to dominate the class.

Madi Simpson will again juggle WMX, ProMX and the EW class at the AEC. The 2024 Junior Girls Champion stepped up to senior women’s racing last season and immediately challenged Gardiner. With a full year of experience behind her, Simpson will be a genuine title threat in 2026.

GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing:

Yamaha’s junior development pathway remains strong, with Marcus Nowland and Harley Hutton returning under the GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing banner.

Nowland moves into the senior ranks in 2026, contesting the U19 (EJ) class while also targeting major events such as Hattah and Finke. Meanwhile, Hutton enters his final year of junior racing in the J4 class, stepping up to a YZ250F after racing a YZ125 in 2025.

Yamaha’s Commitment to the Sport:

Yamaha will continue as naming rights partner of the Australian Enduro Championship in 2026, extending a relationship with the series that now spans more than two decades. Beyond financial backing, Yamaha provides significant logistical support, including track bunting used at every round of the championship.

In a first for the AEC, Yamaha will also open its BLU CRU Bonus Bucks contingency program to all Yamaha off-road riders in major classes, rewarding podium finishers who compete on Yamaha machinery throughout an event. With factory teams, junior development, rider support and championship investment all locked in, Yamaha heads into 2026 firmly positioned as a driving force in Australian off-road racing.

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