Image: Simon Cudby.

Yamaha’s refreshed concept for the 2014 YZ250F came through the toughest national motocross series in the world with flying colours last weekend as Yamalube Star Racing’s Jeremy Martin clinched the 250 Class Pro Motocross Championship in the United States.

The victory marked the first US title for Yamaha since Grant Langston’s success in the premier category in 2007.

Martin, 20 years of age and from Millville, finished eighth overall in the 11th round of the Nationals at Crawfordsville, Indiana to make sure of his champion status.

The American’s spoils follow a fantastic result at Lommel, Belgium, two weeks ago for the 15th of the FIM Motocross World Championship where Bike it Yamaha Cosworth’s Max Anstie gave the 2014 YZ250F its first grand prix triumph.

Back in the US and Martin finally sealed an amazing breakthrough term in which he claimed the first five motos of the season and won a total of eight on the way to an unassailable lead in the standings after the inaugural event in Indiana.

Martin will wear the number one on his Yamaha in 2015 and carry the red plate for the last time this year for the AMA closer at Tooele next weekend. The new champion – Yamaha’s first in the smaller category since Jeff Emig in 1992 – is the first of three YZ250F runners in the top five of the contest with Webb in third spot and Pourcel currently fifth.