RUMOUR: Jeffrey Herlings bound for Honda HRC in 2026?
Image: Ray Archer
When it comes to legends of the sport, Jeffrey Herlings needs little introduction. The Dutchman is one of the greatest to ever throw a leg over a motocross bike with five world titles and a staggering 109 GP overall wins to his name – and counting. It’s often said that if not for injuries, Herlings’ trophy cabinet would have been even more jaw-dropping.
Since bursting onto the GP scene back in 2010, Herlings has been synonymous with Factory KTM machinery. That iconic partnership has now spanned 15 years – a rarity in modern motorsport and one of the most successful rider-manufacturer collaborations in motocross history.
However, things look set to change. We understand that Herlings is poised to make a switch for the 2026 season – to none other than Honda HRC, the factory effort run by Giacomo Gariboldi. If confirmed, this would mark the end of an era and the start of a new chapter for both Herlings and Honda.
As previously reported by us and other sources, Tom Vialle is also heavily linked with a move to the HRC setup. That would give Honda a completely revamped and formidable MXGP rider line-up for 2026 as they push to get back to the very top of the sport.
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In a further shake-up, Herlings is expected to make the switch to Fox Racing gear – Herlings has been with Alpinestars gear for many years due to his association with KTM.
While details around contract length are still unclear, fingers crossed for a two-year deal because truthfully, the longer Herlings remains in the GP paddock, the better it is for the sport. We also understand that he held discussions with Ducati earlier in the year and even had an offer on the table to contest the AMA Pro Motocross Championship in 2026. However, those options didn’t materialize and now a move to Honda to take on the MXGP World Championship is looking the most likely.
At the moment, Herlings is currently recovering from a broken collarbone but hopefully he can recover soon so he can end his KTM career on a high note.
The Herlings-to-Honda story adds another layer of intrigue to what’s already shaping up to be a wild silly season. 2026 is going to be very, very interesting.