Julien Lieber will move to the MXGP class in 2018 after a signing a deal to partner Clement Desalle in the Monster Energy Kawasaki team.

Lieber had a great weekend in his home GP at Lommel last weekend, claiming his fifth MX2 podium of the season and was selected as a member of the Belgian team for the upcoming Motocross of Nations in his comeback from injury.

“Coming back to racing this season, one of my goals was to get a top ride for the MXGP class, and I’m so happy to have achieved that. Joining the main class with such a professional team is like a dream, and for sure I will do my best to get strong results,” said Lieber.

“There’s a lot of top riders in the MXGP but I already trained and raced on a 450 a couple of years ago and I think that this class will suit my riding style; I’ve ridden a 250 for seven years now, so it really is the right moment to move up and you can’t do it in a more professional team than the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team. I’m also happy to be teammate with Clément; we already have a good relationship and I’m sure we’ll work closely together.”