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Frenchman Gautier Paulin has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of this year’s MXGP World Championship, choosing to hang up his helmet after departing from Monster Energy Yamaha.

Paulin is currently sixth in the 2020 standings after winning a moto – his first since 2017 – and finishing on the podium at Lommel 1, but won’t continue next season.

“It is with a great deal of emotion that I have decided to call time on my career,” announced the 30-year-old. “I have dedicated my whole life to my sport and it has made me the man I am today. I had a wonderful awakening in 2007 when I signed my first pro contract and won my first title – it set me on a path I had dreamt of.

“I’m so grateful that I got to fight with the best riders in the world, gain the trust of the most prestigious companies and brands, wear my nation’s jersey for 11 consecutive years at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) and win the event. I love challenges, performance, hard work, and having the desire to give my best.

“I’ve experienced indescribable feelings of joy, I’ve led the MX2 and MXGP world championships, sang the Marseillaise with the public and lived through strong emotions that have marked me forever.

“I also have the most unbelievable fans and I humbly thank every single one of them, as well as every single person that helped or believed in me for the last 15 years and more. Sport unites us, now it is time for the next chapter.”

Monster Energy Yamaha has already confirmed that Jeremy Seewer will continue on-board the factory YZ450FM next season alongside Ben Watson, who will transition from the MX2 category for his rookie premier class campaign. It’s also expected that Glenn Coldenhoff will join Yamaha after exiting GasGas.

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Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing will field a fresh new line-up in the 2021 MXGP World Championship after signing Pauls Jonass and Brian Bogers to ride the works MC 450F next season.

The announcement confirms that Glenn Coldenhoff will depart GasGas – linked to Monster Energy Yamaha – as Jonass moves across from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna on-board the same KTM Group platform.

Jonass entered the grand prix scene in 2014, rapidly progressing to become MX2 World Champion in 2017. The Latvian then moved to the MXGP class for the following 2019, securing three overall podiums and an impressive sixth place in the final standings.

2020 was set to be Jonass’ breakout year, but an untimely training crash ended his season early. Following months of rehabilitation and with his desire for success stronger than ever, he’s now back to full fitness and ready to fight for podiums when the gate drops for the start of the 2021 season.

“I’m really excited for my future with GasGas,” Jonass said. “I have to thank the Standing Construct team for believing in me while I have been injured, but I will be back to 100 percent and then I can start testing with the team. It’s an exciting time for me and my rehabilitation is going very well. I’m looking forward to a great future together with GasGas and I look forward to achieving some great results when the 2021 season starts.”

Competing alongside Jonass, Bogers is currently ranked 12th in the 2020 MXGP World Championship and the Dutchman has been a constant threat for top-five results during recent GPs. Bogers, like his new teammate, will soon head into the off-season focused on testing and preparation ahead of the new season.

“It’s a great feeling to be on the Standing Construct GasGas team for 2021,” commented Bogers. “I’m really looking forward to next season as I know the team is very professional and the bike is great. They have had impressive results over recent years, so it gives me a lot of confidence. It’s an exciting opportunity, I’ve had a strong season in 2020 and I’m ready for the next step with GasGas in 2021.”

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Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha has signed Malcolm Stewart to ride alongside Dylan Ferrandis and Aaron Plessinger in the 450SX division of Monster Energy Supercross for 2021.

Yamaha’s newfound factory 450 program expands to three riders, with reigning 250SX West champion Ferrandis and the returning Plessinger already confirmed.

“I’m really excited to join the team,” said 28-year-old Stewart. “I’ve known a lot of the guys before, when I was around the team back in 2011. Gareth Swanepoel is my trainer and he works with their guys, plus I have a few buddies there, so it isn’t a big change for me.

“It just kind of adds another piece to the puzzle and I’m definitely happy. The team has had a lot of success and has dominated the 250 class. They have a phenomenal set-up and to be a part of their first year in the 450 class, it makes it more exciting for all of us.

“I feel like we have some good heavy hitters. Myself, Dylan Ferrandis, and Aaron Plessinger, every single one of us has won a 250 title. It should be a really good year. It’s only Supercross right now, but hopefully it goes well, and we can turn it into something in the future.”

Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450 team manager Jeremy Coker added: “Adding Malcolm to our already great line up excites me that much more for this upcoming season. He is an amazing rider, especially when it comes to the whoops. I can’t wait to see him on the track.”

Stewart is fresh off his best season in 450SX class with MotoConcepts aboard a Honda, hitting his stride in the seven-race run in Salt Lake City and finishing fourth at the season finale to end the year seventh in the standings. He now looks to build on that momentum next season with the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team.

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GasGas has signed Isak Gifting alongside Simon Langenfelder in its Diga Procross GasGas Factory Racing team for the 2021 MX2 World Championship.

After beginning the year in EMX250, Gifting has been a fill-in rider at GasGas and turned heads with a fifth-place result overall at Lommel 3 on Sunday.

“It’s an amazing feeling to continue with the Diga Procross GasGas team in 2021 as a full factory rider,” 19-year-old Gifting said. “Riding grands prix has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy and now I’ve made it. Racing for a factory team, it’s just unbelievable.

“The bike is fantastic and having a solid team around me with a great manager, mechanics and a trainer gives me a lot of confidence. I have a great feeling going into 2021 – I can’t wait to have a full winter of testing with the team and I’m sure that together we can achieve some great results.”

Meanwhile, Langenfelder will return to the team for 2021, his second term of MX2 World Championship action. Having shown flashes of speed throughout this season before an untimely leg injury, the young German is fully focused on his recovery and looking ahead to prepare for the new season.

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Queensland export Nathan Crawford will be forced to miss the remaining three rounds of the MX2 World Championship after initially injuring his knee at Mantova.

Crawford, who is now 23 and has aged out of MX2 for next season, pulled out of moto one in Italy late last month with swelling and hasn’t returned since.

It was initially indicated that Crawford would be able to return at the following round, however, that hasn’t eventuated and Team Honda 114 Motorsports has now confirmed that he won’t be returning. Crawford hasn’t posted any social media updates directly.

In his first year of GPs, Crawford displayed top 10 form on occasion, but had been struck be a series of misfortune in the rounds prior to his injury. His best overall result came with 11th position at the GP of Emilia Romagna.

It’s uncertain what Crawford – who has a limited amount of 450 experience in Australia – has in store for the 2021 season, set to be forced into the MXGP category if he is to remain in Europe for another world championship campaign.