New Zealander Maximus Purvis will join Wil Ruprecht in the ShopYamaha Off Road team in 2026, as the duo set their sights on the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXStore (AusEnduro).

Ruprecht, the 2022 enduro world champion, will again compete in the E2 class, while motocross ace Purvis will take on E1 duties in the AJ Roberts-managed team.

The opening weekend of the 2026 AusEnduro Championship will be held in Roma (Qld) on March 7-8.

Wil Ruprecht is eyeing off the E2 and Pro Enduro double in 2026

Ruprecht returned to Australia in 2025, trading blows with Daniel Milner (KTM) across the entire 12-round calendar.

After a gripping season of world-class enduro, Milner just edged out a fast-finishing Ruprecht in E2 and the all-new Pro Enduro ‘best of the best’ class.

Milner has since retired, but that hasn’t altered Ruprecht’s mindset: he’s been working extra hard over the off-season to go to the next level, particularly in maximising his potential on sandy terrain.

“Last year was my first time back in Australia for a while, and I wasn’t able to adjust to some of the conditions we faced quick enough,” Ruprecht said.

“I was fit, but I wasn’t versatile, so I have incorporated a few different things into my preparation this year and hope that it will reward me at the end of the season.

“The team has been great, and we already have a good setting with the bike and I feel comfortable. So, it’s just keeping my head down, doing the work and being ready to go when the opening weekend comes around in March, as it will be hot and sweaty in Roma that time of year.”

Max Purvis is looking forward to his first full season of AusEnduro

Purvis made a guest appearance with ShopYamaha at the 2025 Kyogle (NSW) round of AusEnduro, and with no prior championship experience he finished on the podium E1 and in the top six of Pro Enduro.

“I had a good time racing at Kyogle last year and while I didn’t understand everything about what I was doing, I loved the riding and wanted to do more, so when AJ offered me the chance to do the full series this year, I was on board right away,” said Purvis, who currently leads the New Zealand MX1 motocross title.

“I know I have plenty to learn which also means there is a lot of improvements that can be found as I get a better understanding of the riding. I’m looking forward to it and will be ready to go when the championship gets started.”

In addition to the ShopYamaha roster, Yamaha has also announced its other AusEnduro-supported teams for 2026:

Yamaha JGR Off Road Team
• Jess Gardiner: EW
• Jeremy Carpentier: E1
• Lorna Lock: Junior Girls

Yamaha BLU CRU Support Team
• Cooper Sheidow: E1
• Jett Yarnold: E1
• Fraser Higlett: E1
• Madi Simpson: EW

GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing
• Marcus Nowland: EJ
• Harley Hutton: J4