Image: Supplied.

Yamaha Motor Europe has officially announced the signing of Ruben Fernandez for the 2027 MXGP World Championship, completing its Yamaha Factory Racing line-up alongside five-time world champion Tim Gajser.

The 27-year-old Spaniard makes the move from Honda HRC to Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP, where he will campaign the YZ450FM as part of the manufacturer’s newly restructured factory operation.

Fernandez arrives following an extended tenure with Honda, having established himself as a consistent front-runner in the premier class. His breakthrough came with a maiden MXGP overall victory in Argentina during 2023, the same season he finished fifth in the championship standings.

He improved to fourth overall in 2025 and now joins Yamaha with ambitions of mounting a sustained championship challenge, marking a return to the manufacturer after previously competing aboard its machinery earlier in his career.

His arrival coincides with a significant change in direction for Yamaha’s MXGP program, which will move to a centralized, in-house structure at its Gerno di Lesmo racing headquarters in Italy for 2027 – bringing the factory motocross effort alongside Yamaha’s MotoGP and WorldSBK projects.

“I’m excited for the next chapter of my career and the new environment,” Fernandez commented. “After spending so many years with the same team, the same people, and the same bike, I’m really looking forward to this change. I feel this change is exactly what I need to move forward and to take the next step in my career. I can’t wait to get to work.”

Yamaha Motor Europe off-road racing manager Alexandre Kowalski welcomed Fernandez back to the brand: “We are delighted to welcome Ruben back to the Yamaha family. As a grand prix winner and proven front-runner, his speed and professionalism will be a major asset to our factory program.”

Fernandez will partner Gajser in a refreshed new Yamaha MXGP rider combination for 2027, with both riders currently preparing aboard the YZ450FM ahead of the upcoming season.