Image: Foremost Media.

MotoCoach Elite Racing has signed Koby Hantis for the 2027 AUSMX season, with the emerging MX2 prospect joining the Honda-equipped team following an injury-affected rookie year.

As a Yamaha-supported privateer in 2026, Hantis finished seventh overall on debut at Wonthaggi before claiming 10th at Canberra, highlighted by sixth in moto two.

The 19-year-old was positioned eighth in the standings when a torn ACL and damaged meniscus sustained during qualifying at Gillman ended his 2026 campaign altogether.

“We’ve seen Koby around the races for sometime and always felt he would be a great addition to our team,” commented MER team manager Leigh Gainfort. “He has previously shown podium speed and with a joint effort from him and MER he will be a strong contender of the MX2 class in 2027.”

Hantis previously finished runner-up in the 2024 national MX3 standings and third in the SX3 class of AUSX, while his 2025 campaign – competing as part of Monster Energy WBR Yamaha at the time – was interrupted by injury, before he stepped up to MX2 with MXRP backing this year.

The deal follows the departure of Rhys Budd from MotoCoach Elite Racing, with Hantis joining Fin Manson in MX2, while Jet Alsop and Hadley Gainfort will represent the team in MX1. A further rider announcement is expected, alongside plans for a 2027 AUSX program still to be finalised.