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An assortmemt of reasons ultimately cut short Dean Ferris’ campaign in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship this year, leading to the unexpected announcement that he has parted ways with Yamaha.

Ferris was scheduled to contest the complete 12-round season in America after giving up a relatively lucrative conract with CDR Yamaha in order to reignite his international career.

Following six rounds, Ferris – who turned 29 on Thursday – currently sits eighth in the championship and directly behind fellow Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing rider Justin Barcia. The split has been a mutual one, according to both Ferris and Yamaha.

Team regular Aaron Plessinger returned to action at Southwick last weekend, however it was still understood that Ferris would continue in a third role on the official team. It’s that element that has made this week’s decision one of the more surprising outcomes.

Ferris stopped short of elaborating on his exit from Yamaha in the US, but thanked those involved in his journey and plans to announce his plans in the coming months.

“Due to a wide range of factors and careful consideration, my time here in the USA has come to an end,” Ferris confirmed. “I’d like to start by saying a huge thank you to all of you for the amazing support I have received since declaring my intentions to race the AMA Pro Motocross championship.

“It has been a crazy few months trying to make it all happen! But upon mutual agreement with Monster Energy Yamaha, I finalised my contract after the Southwick national and will not be lining up this weekend at RedBud – I will instead be returning home to Australia.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team for their support throughout the first half of the season and would like to wish both Aaron Plessinger and Justin Barcia a killer second half. I would also like to thank Fox, Recover8 and everyone else who helped make it all possible!

“I will give everyone another update regarding what’s next for me in the coming couple of weeks when I get home and confirm it all. Thank you again for all your ongoing support.”

Prior to embarking on the challenge of America this year, Ferris had clinched the Australian MX Nationals crown three times in succession between 2016 and 2018 as part of the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy operation. His position locally has since been filled by Luke Clout and Kirk Gibbs.

Ferris has also had an association with the factory-backed Raceline KTM team in 2019, contesting the Murray Bridge MX Nationals double-header aboard a Recover8-supported 450 SX-F and taking victory in Saturday’s fourth round.