After a successful debut season last year in the All Japan Motocross Championship, reigning IA2 250 champion Jay Wilson will return to Japan and step up to the 450 class with a newly-formed Yamaha Factory Innovation Team.

Wilson makes the transition following a near-perfect season where he won 15 out of 16 IA2 motos on his way to a dominant title win in the category.

As part of his role with the manufacturer, Wilson will continue to coach and mentor up and coming Japanese riders, test and develop future products for Yamaha and also take on a management role within the new team.

“2022 was a great year for me and my family,” Wilson explained. “We have really found a home for ourselves in Japan both on and off the track. We have embraced living here and when presented with the opportunity to stay for 2023 and continue my relationship with Yamaha, it was a pretty simple decision.

“I still feel I have a few good years of racing left in me and moving to the IA1 class (450cc) on the YZ450F is a challenge I’m ready for. The 2023 YZ450F is an awesome bike and Yamaha have surrounded me with a group of great people, so I will set my goals high, work hard and do my best to try and secure Yamaha another championship.”

After spending part of his pre-season in New Zealand, Wilson has returned to Japan and is hard at work with his new Yamaha team as they prepare for round one of the 2023 All Japan Motocross Championship, set to kick off on 12 April.

“Yamaha were fully supportive of me doing a pre-season boot camp in New Zealand and sent over my mechanic as well as some components to test in preparation for the new season,” Wilson added. “Despite the weather, I was able to get plenty of hours on the bike and feel I have adjusted to the 450 well and really enjoy riding the new bike.”