Watch: Kailub Russell Shares Insight on New Contract: “I’ve Got a Five-Year Deal, in Total, with Yamaha”

It was announced last week that eight-time Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Champion Kailub Russell would be making a full-time return to the GNCC series in 2025 with AmPro Yamaha. In an On the Pipe Podcast interview with Tyler Shepardson, we were able to learn some details on Russell’s deal with Yamaha.

Russell stated he has a two-year guaranteed deal for racing with a third-year option, then a two (or three, if he only race for two years) deal as a brand ambassador. Either way, Russell said in total it is a five-year deal. So, although it will be odd to see the long-time KTM rider aboard a blue YZ450FX, it will be fun to see Russell back on the starting line.

“I have a two-year deal with Yamaha to race. I’ve got a five-year deal, in total, with Yamaha. Two years guaranteed in racing with a third option and the other three—or two—to be a brand ambassador and kind of keep Ranch Russell [his traiiung facilities] separate. So, there’s a whole lot of avenues I can go down in the future.”