Three-time and current MX Nationals MX1 champion Dean Ferris has officially been named by Monster Energy Yamaha as the replacement rider for Romain Febvre in MXGP.

Ferris, 28, will make a shock grand prix return at next weekend’s Matterley Basin in England, riding the factory YZ450FM of former world champion Febvre.

Still hopeful that he will be able to secure a full-time ride in America’s Pro Motocross championship, the opportunity to deputise for Febvre in Yamaha’s official team was a luring one. It could serve as the ultimate warm-up ahead of Hangtown in May should he land a deal.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” stated Ferris. “I know the next GP is close, but we still have a few days to get comfortable with the bike. I have ridden these three tracks before, so I will be pulling on my experience a lot.

“It’s great that I can stay with Yamaha as I’ve had a great experience with them in the past few years. It’s a bummer that Romain got hurt, we never want to see that, but it can happen. I will be trying my very best for these GPs and I look forward to the experience and opportunity.”

Febvre – who won the qualifying heat at round one – is currently recovering from a broken talus bone sustained in Argentina’s opening round, undergoing successful surgery on Wednesday in Belgium.

Matterley Basin is the first of three back-to-back MXGP rounds, marking the first appearance of Ferris back in the world championship before he also lines up at Valkenswaard in The Netherlands and Pietramurata, Italy.