Three-time and current MX Nationals MX1 champion Dean Ferris has officially been named by Monster Energy Yamaha as the replacement rider for Romain Febvre in MXGP.

Ferris, 28, will make a shock grand prix return at next weekend’s Matterley Basin in England, riding the factory YZ450FM of former world champion Febvre.

Still hopeful that he will be able to secure a full-time ride in America’s Pro Motocross championship, the opportunity to deputise for Febvre in Yamaha’s official team was a luring one. It could serve as the ultimate warm-up ahead of Hangtown in May should he land a deal.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” stated Ferris after travelling to Europe on Thursday. “I know the next GP is close, but we still have a few days to get comfortable with the bike. I have ridden these three tracks before, so I will be pulling on my experience a lot.

“It’s great that I can stay with Yamaha as I’ve had a great experience with them in the past few years. It’s a bummer that Romain got hurt, we never want to see that, but it can happen. I will be trying my very best for these GPs and I look forward to the experience and opportunity.”

Febvre – who won the qualifying heat at round one prior to his injury – is currently recovering from a broken talus bone sustained in Argentina’s opening round of the 2019 season, undergoing successful surgery on Wednesday in Belgium.

Matterley Basin is the first of three back-to-back MXGP rounds coming up, marking the first appearance of Ferris back in the world championship since 2015 before he also lines up at Valkenswaard in The Netherlands and Pietramurata, Italy.