The 2026 season has so far been full of positive highlights for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team. Latvian brothers Janis and Karlis Reisulis continue to make progress week after week, regularly battling for top-five finishes in the FIM Motocross World Championship while also leading the Dutch Masters of Motocross standings together. Behind this success is team owner Wim Hutten, who, together with his team, has spent the past ten years building a project that is steadily closing in on the very top of world motocross. However, uncertainty now surrounds the team’s future. We spoke with Hutten about the season so far, the development of his riders, and what lies ahead.
“We made some major steps forward this winter”
Looking back on the first half of the season, Hutten is highly satisfied. In particular, he believes the team’s progress with the bike during the winter has laid the foundation for their current performances.
“I’m very pleased,” Hutten begins. “This winter we really made significant improvements with the bike, and we’re seeing the benefits now. You can also see that Janis and Karlis are getting better every single week. It’s fantastic to watch. They continue to develop, and that gives us a lot of confidence for the remainder of the season.”
That progress is not only evident in the World Championship but also on home soil.
Two Brothers Leading the Dutch Masters
With just one round remaining, Janis and Karlis Reisulis sit first and second in the Dutch Masters of Motocross standings—a special achievement for a Dutch team.
“That’s something we’re incredibly proud of,” Hutten says with a smile. “We’re a Dutch team, and we’ve had the support of many loyal regional partners for years. To have two riders fighting for the championship is something very special. Those are moments that make you extremely proud as a team.”
Uncertainty About the Future
In recent weeks, however, the paddock has been filled not only with talk about the team’s sporting success but also with speculation regarding its future.
Hutten confirms that changes are on the horizon.
“Unfortunately, a difference in strategic vision has developed between us and Yamaha. Yamaha would very much like to continue working with us, but due to the new developments within Yamaha, our partnership will come to an end at the end of this year. That said, I’m extremely grateful for the ten years we have worked so closely together.”
His statement naturally raises the question of whether this marks the end of one of the Netherlands’ most successful motocross teams of recent years.
“My dream is still to become World Champion”
“That could happen if the right opportunity doesn’t come along. My dream has always been to become World Champion, and that dream is still very much alive. We’ve been working towards it for ten years now. We started at national level, then enjoyed success in the European Championship with, among other achievements, three EMX250 titles. After that we managed to secure Grand Prix podium finishes, but the World Championship title is still missing. That’s the one I still desperately want to achieve.
With the right manufacturer by our side, we want to keep chasing that dream. But if the right opportunity doesn’t present itself, I’ll stop, sell everything, and you’ll probably find me spending a lot of time on the golf course next year. Then it will have been a fantastic adventure.”
It is a clear message from the team owner, who, despite the uncertainty, remains determined to continue pursuing his ultimate goal.
Hoping for a Strong Finish
Before turning all attention to the future, there is still an important second half of the season to complete.
“I’d love to see us claim another podium finish this year. Of course, we’re also looking forward to the Dutch Masters of Motocross finale, where one of the brothers has the chance to win the championship. That would be a wonderful way to end the season.”
Whether the team will return to the Grand Prix paddock next year will become clear over the coming months. One thing, however, is certain for Wim Hutten: the pursuit of a World Championship title is far from over.
