Get Ready! A New Era Dawns for Honda HRC MXGP with a Powerful New Partner!
The world of motocross is buzzing with exciting news as PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) officially steps in as the title sponsor for the Honda HRC MXGP team, ushering in a new chapter for the 2026 Motocross World Championships.
This dynamic partnership sees a formidable lineup of riders ready to tackle the globe. In the premier MXGP class, we'll see the incredible talent of Ruben Fernandez, the lightning-fast Tom Vialle, and the legendary Jeffrey Herlings. Rounding out the team in the MX2 class is the promising Valerio Lata. Together, they aim to build upon the team's already impressive legacy.
But here's where it gets truly interesting... The off-season has been a whirlwind of activity. Integrating new riders with unfamiliar machinery is always a challenge, but the team has also been busy forging connections with new sponsors to ensure everything is primed for another demanding 20-round series that will span the planet. From the season opener in Argentina to the grand finale in Australia, with stops in various European nations and a welcome return to South Africa, these four athletes understand that speed and unwavering consistency will be the cornerstones of a successful 2026 campaign.
And this is the part most people miss... For Jeffrey Herlings, already the winningest rider in GP history, the 2026 season isn't just about adding to his already astounding record; it's about chasing his sixth world championship title. Since his official signing on January 1st, the Dutch sensation has been relentlessly testing and riding, honing his skills for the upcoming challenges. He'll be using a couple of pre-season races to fine-tune his race pace before the first gate drop in Bariloche, Argentina, on March 7-8.
Joining Herlings on the formidable Honda HRC PETRONAS machine is Tom Vialle. This two-time MX2 champion makes a significant return to Europe after a remarkably 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 also be piloting Honda machinery for the very first time. This transition is a bold move, and the motocross world will be watching closely to see how this French talent adapts.
Alongside these powerhouses is the returning Ruben Fernandez. After a solid performance that saw him secure fourth place in the 2025 MXGP World Championship, Fernandez demonstrated consistent speed with flashes of brilliance that landed him on the podium multiple times. His objective for 2026 is clear: to amplify those podium finishes and regularly contend for the top spots.
Representing the team in the MX2 class is Valerio Lata. Now entering his second year in the category, Lata is expected to approach the 2026 season with significantly more confidence. He capped off the previous year in Australia with his first-ever podium for the team, and he's been putting in the hard yards during the off-season, driven by the knowledge of what it takes to succeed.
With a few more weeks and crucial pre-season races on the horizon before heading to South America, all four riders are eager and incredibly excited to line up for Honda HRC PETRONAS in the 2026 World Motocross Championships.
What do you think about this new sponsorship and rider lineup? Does it signal a new era of dominance for Honda HRC? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
