Image: Supplied.

Triple national MX1 champion Dean Ferris has officially confirmed he will return to Penrite ProMX in 2023, set to make a comeback for the second time in his career aboard Yamaha’s new generation YZ450F with Brisbane Motorcycles.

Ferris surfaced late last year aboard a Yamaha amid widespread speculation that he would make a surprise return to ProMX competition following his retirement at Coolum’s finals last year.

Brisbane Motorcycles has now formally announced its partnership with Ferris, which indicates that the pair will also contest additional international and local events beyond ProMX. Following a short-lived layoff, the 32-year-old is eager to get back behind the gate at a professional level.

“After Coolum, my family and I set off to travel Australia in the caravan,” Ferris explained. “It was great for the six weeks or so, I honestly really needed the break. After a couple of months on the road, I started to get itchy feet. When you wake up with all day, nowhere to be and complete freedom to choose what to do, it becomes really clear what your values are.

“After a month of choosing to travel, all I could think of was getting back on the grind and improving on the bike. Sounds crazy, but I love it – I love my training, I love riding, I love racing. I’d been in contact with James [Mutton] at Brisbane Motorcycles about getting a 125 to play on and when I mentioned that I was considering pulling a Johnny Farnham and coming back to race, he jumped at the idea.”

A key aspect of Ferris’ retirement post-2022 national motocross was that he was able to do so on his own terms, while his prior retirement was heavily influenced by a serious spinal injury. His structure for 2023 is a high contrast to the factory Honda organisation of Yarrive Konsky that he was part of last season, enabling him to line-up with his preferred products.

“Next minute we were putting together a mini team that allows me freedom and flexibility to hand select my preferred equipment and products,” Ferris added. “It is important to me that I can ride to my ability and push past my limits, that means personalising my set-up to suit me and my style.

“I’ve also learned from the last years and adjusted my program to better fit my family’s needs so I can be both the best father and athlete I can. I’m excited about the opportunity that has come about and the chance to reach another level. Racing is in my blood, what else can I say?”

Ferris has achieved a wealth of success with Yamaha in the past, notably dominating the MX Nationals premier class with CDR Yamaha between 2016-2018. He also tasted victory at a global level with the brand, taking an MX2 World Championship overall win in Belgium a decade ago in 2013.