Arnaud Tonus has apparently agreed a two year deal with Yamaha to stay as part of Louis Vosters’ new Wilvo set-up in MXGP. The recently-turned 26 year old Swiss, who has already scored a podium finish in his maiden campaign in the premier class, put pen to paper at Ottobiano, Italy last weekend and will line-up alongside Shaun Simpson in blue for 2018 within one of the most impressive satellite set-ups in the paddock.

The former MX2 Grand Prix winner has ridden Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and KTM machinery in the FIM World Championship and insists the working relationship at Wilvo and the imminent arrival of the brand new 2018 YZ450F were the two main reasons for securing his ‘employment’ for another two seasons.

“It is a little bit new for me,” he said exclusively in reference to the multi-year fixture. “I had a two year deal with PC but after that I was a bit ‘in the waiting zone’ when it came to my future. I feel that with Louis and Yamaha we have a really solid relationship and my first idea was to stay with them. I have a great feeling in the team, and everyone has been really nice with me, the group, the atmosphere: there was no reason to change. I’m really happy.”

The revised YZ450F could be raced by the team as early as August depending on delivery of the bikes and the potential for tuning and preparation for Grand Prix. Tonus insists that the first major overhaul of the production bike since it made its debut as a rear-slanting cylinder concept in 2009 was another pull towards a contract extension.

“It really pushed me in the direction to continue with Yamaha,” he claims. “They have worked a lot and been on the project for four years. It is a special bike and it is a big step forward, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Photos by Ray Archer