Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1541018
Yamaha "Not Really" On Course Y amaha is facing an anxious race against time to have its new V4 MotoGP up to speed before preseason testing for the 2026 season begins after an underwhelming appearance in the Malaysian GP. Test rider Augusto Fernandez made his second wild- card appearance with the bike and could only finish 18th, 47 seconds off race winner Alex Marquez. More concerning was the Spaniard's comments on how they are still some ways off from finding a working base setting, with certain components in need of a redesign. "Difficult, difficult weekend for us," he said after the feature race. "The only positive thing that with all the work we've done, we are now at the same point as how we finished the race in Misano [where the machine made its racing debut]." Lead rider Fabio Quartararo made his stance clear in Malaysia. Unless Yamaha can prove across preseason that its V4 is capable of fighting for the top five at ev - ery race next year, he will seek a move elsewhere. Asked whether Yamaha is on course to do that, Fer- nandez said, "Not really. But I will tell you in Valencia, honestly. Because now we are far, but if we go in the right direction, that after all the data that we analyzed, if we think the direction we are going to take is the one to take, in Valencia we will confirm. After that I will say if we will be ready or not." Neil Morrison Haarup Stepping Up to 450MX M ikkel Haarup of Triumph Factory Racing will remain in the USA for 2026, stepping up to race the TF 450-X in the 450MX division. The Danish rider has signed a two-year contract extension, with plans to return to the FIM Moto - cross World Championship in 2027. Triumph and Mikkel plan to race the 450 in the 2026 Pro Motocross series to test the TF 450-X in the USA ahead of returning to the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2027. This will prepare Haarup and Triumph for their MXGP debut. "After two years of racing Triumph's 250, I'm excited for the next chapter of my career," Haarup said. "Racing a 450 is something that I've been looking forward to for quite some time, and I can't wait to get this next step started. I've been riding the 450 for a little while now and things have been going well." CN Danish rider Mikkel Haarup of the Triumph Factory Racing Team will move up from the 250cc class to the 450cc in AMA Pro Motocross before returning to the FIM MXGP circuit in 2027. WIND IN THE P34 It's not been looking good on the V4 front for Yamaha of late.