New Yamaha Factory Racing Squad to Contest 2019 AMA SX and MX Championships with YZ450F

December 28, 2018 – The opening round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship is set for Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Contesting the premier 450cc class will be the Monster Energy/Yamaha Factory Racing Team run by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A (YMUS).

The team’s lineup will feature #51 Justin Barcia and #7 Aaron Plessinger, both riding the 2019 YZ450F. Barcia returned to Yamaha last season, finishing 10th in 450SX and 3rd in 450MX, while Plessinger will be making his debut in the premier class after clinching the 250SX West and 250MX titles last year. Barcia and Plessinger will also battle in the premier class of the AMA Motocross Championship set to begin in May 2019.

Justin Barcia #51

“I’m really excited to have extended my contract with the team. It’s an honor and a pleasure working with everyone at Yamaha. It started out as just a fill-in ride and it turned into something a lot more. I can’t ask for a better team, it’s just been awesome. We’ve really turned my career around, I was in a really tough place, struggling a lot and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do next and Yamaha gave me the opportunity to ride a really good motorcycle and I went out there and gave it my all and put in some really good results. It’s just been a pleasure working with all the guys on the team and riding the new Yamaha 450. I’m really excited for the future and I hope to finish out my career at Yamaha, that’s definitely my goal.”

Aaron Plessinger #7

“Signing with Yamaha for the 450 Class is amazing! I've been with Yamaha since 2008 and we have had an awesome relationship ever since. I feel like it's going to go really well for me next year, just being on a great team with good people around. I can't wait to get started!”