Jago Geerts joins Beta MRT: a major MXGP signing

After eight years under the Yamaha colors, Jago Geerts has chosen Beta MRT to open a new chapter in his career in the MXGP World Championship. The contract covers two seasons. For the Belgian rider as for the Italian brand, this recruitment goes beyond the simple change of jersey: it must accelerate the progress of the RX 450 and permanently establish Beta among the teams that count.

A list of achievements that gives weight to the Beta project

Jago Geerts arrives with rare experience for a still young rider. Born in Geel, Belgium, he won European and world titles in junior categories before establishing himself as one of the strong men of the MX2. Between 2020 and 2023, he finished vice-world champion of the category four times in a row.

His record in MX2 includes 24 Grand Prix victories and 55 podiums. These figures explain the interest of Beta: Geerts knows the pressure of a world campaign, the development of an official motorcycle and the requirements of a contested season on very different terrains.

The transition to MXGP was more difficult. Her first full season in the premier category, in 2025, ended in twelfth place. However, it was marked by encouraging signals, including a sixth place at the Latvian Grand Prix and a victory in the qualifying race in Lugo.

Why change after eight seasons at Yamaha?

Geerts presented this transfer as the need for a new environment to continue to progress. Such a long relationship brings solid benchmarks, but it can also make a change of method useful. At Beta MRT, the Belgian must regain a central role in a program still under construction.

The challenge is important. The RX 450 does not benefit from the same level of experience in MXGP as the Japanese or Austrian references. In return, the rider can directly influence the technical choices and the orientation of the bike. This responsibility may suit his experience and his analytical ability.

First positive tests on the Beta RX 450

At the time of the announcement, Jago Geerts had already tested the RX 450. He said he felt at ease quickly and said he was ready to start the winter preparation. We must be careful: a first conclusive test does not guarantee either the results or the ease of adaptation over a full season.

However, he confirms that the signature is not based solely on a contractual proposal. The rider was able to evaluate the technical basis before committing. For Beta, these tests also allow to collect feedback from a rider trained for several seasons in a leading structure.

What Beta expects from Jago Geerts

Elio Marchetti, on the Beta MRT side, insists on three qualities: international experience, a winning mentality and speed. The announced objective is to combine these qualities with the technical growth of the MXGP project to aim for more significant results.

Concretely, the arrival of Geerts can bring:

• A precise technical review of the RX 450;
• A speed reference for the entire team;
• A better ability to transform experiments into development choices;
• Increased visibility for Beta in the motocross market;
• A rider capable of regularly aiming for the top of the standings if the adaptation succeeds.

An important duo with Rick Elzinga

The recruitment of Jago Geerts is part of a broader recomposition of the Beta MRT program. The presence of Rick Elzinga offers the team two complementary profiles. Geerts brings his experience as vice-world champion MX2 and his recent experience in MXGP; Elzinga represents another potential to develop in the new cycle of the structure.

This association must above all provide more comparable data. Two rapid riders allow us to distinguish an individual preference from a real trend of the motorcycle. For a manufacturer still young at this level, the quality of this information can accelerate development.

An ambitious signature, but no shortcuts

The transfer of Jago Geerts is an important step in Beta's sporting strategy. However, it is not enough to immediately transform the RX 450 into a contender for the title. Reliability, the constancy of the starts, the efficiency on every type of surface and the team's ability to evolve the machine will remain decisive.

The two-season contract gives the project just enough time. The first phase must allow to stabilize the rider-bike couple; the next phase must convert this work into regular results. Beta now has a rider whose reference level is hardly in doubt.

To follow the same project, consult the file on Rick Elzinga at Beta MRT And the New arrivals in the Beta RX 2027 range.