One of Belgium’s most exciting young racers, Joel Roelants, will be a factory Monster Energy Yamaha rider in the premier MX1 class of the FIM Motocross World Championship for 2013.

Roelants will line-up alongside Steven Frossard and also MX2 rider Christophe Charlier in the Rinaldi-run section of the works squad.

The Italian crew will welcome the 2012 MX2 Grand Prix of Latvia winner for what will be his rookie season in the MX1 ranks and his first on the formidable YZ450FM.

Roelants steps into MX1 after reaching the age ceiling of 23 years for MX2, a division where he has been learning his GP trade for the past four years and 2012 saw his best campaign yet with three podium results.

“I’m really excited to be a Monster Energy Yamaha rider for next year,” he explained. “It just sucks a bit at the moment that I cannot start working with the guys right away! I will work my way back up to speed and I’m looking forward to the day I can start to test already.”

Two weeks ago Roelants underwent a successful operation on the hip joint that he dislocated at the British GP, and will now start his program of rehab and light fitness work that will build up to aquatherapy and cycling until he will be able to test and finesse the YZ450FM at the end of December.

“The doctors were really happy with the operation,” he added. “After two days I was able to walk with crutches and I’ve already started full-time rehab and some activities like the exercise bike.

“I will have to keep a lot of weight off the joint for another week or so but after that I hope it will be full speed ahead.”