Get Ready! Honda HRC MXGP is about to ignite the 2026 season with a powerful new partnership!
Big news is buzzing in the world of motocross! PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) is officially stepping in as the title sponsor for the renowned Honda HRC MXGP team, heralding a thrilling new era for the 2026 Motocross World Championships. This exciting collaboration sees a formidable lineup of riders ready to chase glory: Ruben Fernandez and Jeffrey Herlings in the premier MXGP class, alongside the highly anticipated debut of Tom Vialle on a 450cc machine, and Valerio Lata tackling the MX2 category. Together, they aim to build upon the team's already impressive legacy.
But here's where it gets intense... The off-season has been a whirlwind of activity! Integrating new riders with unfamiliar machinery and forging strong connections with new sponsors is no small feat. This year's championship promises a truly global spectacle, with 20 grueling rounds kicking off in Argentina, making stops across Europe, and even venturing to South Africa before concluding in Australia. For these four athletes, speed and unwavering consistency will be the absolute keys to unlocking a successful and rewarding 2026 campaign.
And this is the part most people miss... For Jeffrey Herlings, already a legend as the winningest rider in GP history, the 2026 season isn't just about extending his record; it's about adding to his incredible collection of five world championship titles. Since officially joining Honda HRC PETRONAS on January 1st, the Dutch powerhouse has been relentlessly testing and riding. He's now gearing up for a couple of pre-season races to fine-tune his race pace before the season opener in Bariloche, Argentina, on March 7-8.
Joining Herlings on the starting gate is the equally celebrated Tom Vialle. This two-time MX2 champion is making a significant career move, returning to Europe after a highly successful stint in the United States, where he also clinched two Supercross titles. For the first time in his career, Vialle will be competing on a 450cc machine, and like Herlings, he'll be piloting Honda machinery. This transition is a major talking point – can he translate his MX2 and Supercross dominance to the larger bike in the MXGP class?
Alongside these titans is the returning Ruben Fernandez. After a solid fourth-place finish in the 2025 MXGP World Championship, Fernandez proved his mettle with consistent performances punctuated by bursts of brilliance that landed him on the podium multiple times. His objective for 2026 is clear: to consistently showcase that speed and contend for victories at the very front of the field.
Rounding out the team in the MX2 class is Valerio Lata. Now entering his second year in the category, Lata is expected to carry increased confidence. He celebrated his first podium with the team in Australia at the end of last season, and with that experience under his belt, he's dedicated his off-season to intensive preparation to replicate and surpass that success throughout the upcoming campaign.
With just a few more weeks and crucial pre-season races to navigate before heading to South America, the entire Honda HRC PETRONAS squad is brimming with anticipation and excitement to officially begin their quest for the 2026 World Motocross Championships.
Hear it straight from the riders and management:
#70 Ruben Fernandez is confident about starting strong, especially with the first two rounds in Spanish-speaking countries, and is aiming for more podium finishes: "Last year I was consistent, but not on the podium as much as I would have liked, so now the goal is to just really aim for the top three and make another step forward."
#16 Tom Vialle has adapted quickly to his return to Europe and the new 450cc Honda. He acknowledges the difference between testing and racing: "The bike is of course completely different, but I’ve been riding it since November and we done a lot of work and got things to a level that I’m happy with. However, testing and training is a lot different than racing GPs, so that will be the real test, but I’m confident in my ability and I feel ready to get back in the series and really show everyone what I’m capable of on the bigger bikes."
#84 Jeffrey Herlings emphasizes the hard work and challenge of adapting to a new bike and team: "It’s definitely been a hectic preseason so far, just learning the new bike, learning the team and just trying to get myself ready for the season ahead. I’ve done a lot of training since January 1, and we’ve made a lot of steps to get the bike where I want it, but we will keep working and testing and just make sure that I’m as ready as possible for Argentina. It has been a lot of changes, but so far, I am enjoying the challenge and the motivation is high coming into round one."
#18 Valerio Lata feels well-prepared for the demanding 20-round season after a challenging but improving rookie year: "Last year was a tough year, and a steep learning curve to be able to race all the rounds but I feel like I have made a lot of improvements and I think I am much better prepared to race 20 races around the world. I have been riding with the other guys a few times and I think it is really helpful to see how they do things as they are a lot more experienced than me. Overall, I am very happy with how things have gone and I am really looking forward to Argentina."
Marcus Pereira de Freitas, HRC General Manager - MXGP, highlights the caliber of the rider lineup: "To have a line-up of riders of such a high calibre with multiple world championships like Jeffrey and Tom, really raise the profile of the team, not just amongst motocross, but in motorsports in general. Of course now we must match that standard on the race track, but we’ve had a productive month or so and I believe all four riders are ready to compete at the highest level in Argentina."
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team HRC Team Manager, expresses his excitement for the team's potential: "I am very excited for this year, both the rider line-up we have. I think all four riders are capable of winning races, and while that might not happen immediately, I really believe we will get stronger and stronger as the season progresses and I can’t wait to watch it all unfold, both as a fan and as the Team Manager."
What do you think about this star-studded lineup? Can Tom Vialle make an immediate impact on the 450cc? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
