Image: Simon Cudby.

Yamaha Factory Racing will return for 2017 with an increased rider roster featuring Australia’s Chad Reed and current Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross 250MX points leader, Cooper Webb.

Following a positive building year with the reformed factory Yamaha outfit for 2016, Reed looks forward to returning with the team next season with the increased knowledge base.

“I’m excited to get back to work with the Yamaha guys,” Reed said. “2016 was a great learning and rebuilding phase for me and for Yamaha going racing as a factory team again. We learned the bike and found our strengths and weaknesses, it’s a huge positive that we are able to use this time wisely to prepare for 2017.”

The multi-time champion believes teammate and premier class rookie, Webb, will bring an increased level of enthusiasm to the team, something he welcomes.

“The team and I are motivated to continue building,” he added. “I think Cooper brings a new level of energy to the team. Youth has that natural way of upping the enthusiasm! I like that energy, and I’m looking forward to having him as my teammate.”

Webb, a two-time 250SX Monster Energy AMA Supercross Western Regional champion, admits to move to the premier class with Yamaha is a dream come true.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Yamaha Factory Racing team,” said Webb. “It’s a dream come true for me, especially to be able to stay with the brand where I started my professional career.”

Looking up to Reed as an aspiring racer, the North Carolina native looks forward to teaming up with the experienced Aussie as he enters the 450 ranks.

“It’s going to be great to team up with Chad,” he added. “I met him a long time ago, and growing up, he was always my favorite rider. So, to be teammates with a legend is awesome. It’s going to help me tremendously to learn from him, and I can’t think of a better teammate to have as I move up to the 450 full-time.”

For a second consecutive season, Reed will be on a supercross-only contract with the team while Webb will contest both the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.