Martin Michek’s divorce from Orion – Moto Racing Group lasted a year and five days. 370 days after announcing they would part ways, Michek and the team held a press conference on Tuesday to confirm they have rekindled their relationship.

While he was on a KTM during his first six-year stint with MRG, Michek will race the Kove 450 Rally EX for the second go. MRG had signed a factory deal with Kove in July 2025 a few weeks before Michek’s departure.

Even when they parted ways last August, both left the door open for a reunion.

“We are very happy to have Martin back. I won’t say that we planned exactly such a development, but we suspected that this situation could occur sometime in the future,” MRG manager Ervín Krajčovič stated. “We are very happy with his return, as are Kove and our partners at Orion, with whom we together form our racing family. We thank them very much for their trust.”

After Michek left MRG, he became a factory rider for Hoto Motorcycle. He had already won the 2025 Taklimakan Rally with the brand, and Hoto upped their partnership for the 2026 Dakar so that he would help debut the marque in the RallyGP class. However, he and teammate Mason Klein were set back by mechanical failures. Klein has since left Hoto as well.

Back with MRG, one of his new duties is to further develop Kove’s RallyGP efforts. He hopes to score a top-ten finish in the 2027 Dakar.

“We’re working on the bike and we have factory support. Now, it will depend on how everything comes together,” Michek explained. “Of course, a little luck is also needed at Dakar. First of all, we will be grateful when our riders make it through the finish ramp safely. If we add a good result to that, we will of course be even more satisfied.”

Featured image credit: Orion – Moto Racing Group