Tom Vialle celebrates first overall victory for Honda HRC Petronas in Sommières

The next important preparatory event for the upcoming motocross season has been completed. The traditional race took place in southern France. Sommières Once again, a top-class field of international MXGP riders met to take another stocktaking exercise a few weeks before the start of the season.

One name in particular was the focus: Kay the WolfThe Dutchman made his debut on a 450cc Husqvarna, generating considerable anticipation beforehand. However, his appearance ended much sooner than planned. After several crashes, de Wolf had to abandon the first race and subsequently withdrew from the second. Whether an injury was the cause of his withdrawal has not yet been confirmed.

While de Wolf was eliminated early, an exciting battle developed at the top – with one man who would ultimately shape the weekend.

Coenen wins race one – Vialle is in the mix at the front

The first run opened Lucas Coenen with a strong start. The Belgian took the lead early and controlled the race confidently despite difficult track conditions. Behind him, the next rider initially took over. Pauls jonass Second place. However, a small mistake set the Latvian back, leading to an intense duel. Max Renaux seized the opportunity and ultimately secured second place.

Behind it, completed Tom Vialle the podium. The Frenchman consistently maintained his position at the front, thus laying the foundation for a strong overall result. He caused a surprise. Maxime Desprey, who finished fifth, ahead of several established MXGP riders.

In addition to de Wolf's absence, they also had to Calvin Flanders to accept a DNF.

Vialle strikes back in the second run

The picture at the front changed in the second race. This time it was Tom Vialle, who dominated the race. The Frenchman took the lead after just a few laps and quickly pulled away from the field. Lap after lap, the Honda rider extended his advantage and controlled the race with ease.

Behind him, an intense battle for the podium places developed. Max Renaux worked on Pauls jonass over and finally secured second place.

Meanwhile, a strong comeback was shown Lucas CoenenAfter a difficult start, the Belgian had to work his way forward from the midfield. However, with impressive pace, he fought his way up to third place and finished the race just a few seconds behind Renaux.

Superfinal without any major surprises

The final super final finally brought some movement to the field, although less at the top than expected.

Thibault Benistant He got off to a perfect start and took the lead early on. For a full 13 laps, the Frenchman didn't let anyone pass him. After the rather mixed results from the two races (6 and 10), he impressively demonstrated his potential in the Super Final.

Behind them lined up Tom Vialle and Lucas Coenen and completed the top three in the race. Max Renaux had to settle for fourth place.

Vialle's first overall victory on a Honda

In the overall standings, [the following] ultimately prevailed. Tom Vialle through. With third place in the first race, victory in the second race and second place in the super final, the Frenchman collected a total of 67 points – enough for the overall victory in Sommières.

For Vialle, this success is more than just a good test. It is also his first overall victory for Honda HRC Petronas – and thus an important signal in the final phase of pre-season training.

Behind him completed Lucas Coenen with 65 points and Max Renaux with 62 points, the overall podium.

A signpost for the season?

Pre-season results are never a guarantee for the season. But they often indicate who is currently in the right rhythm. And that's exactly the impression left by [player's name]. Tom Vialle this weekend. The two-time MX2 world champion seems to be getting more and more comfortable on the big machine – and is sending a clear signal just in time for the start of the new season.

In the preparation paddock, it has certainly been noted: Tom Vialle is ready to compete at the front in the MXGP class as well.

No violation’ declared following Arlington red light saga

Results from round seven stand despite ongoing confusion.

AMA officials have confirmed a ‘no violation’ ruling following a review of Saturday night’s red light/cross saga in Arlington, firming the results from round seven of the 2026 Monster Energy Supercross Championship.

While leading the 250SX East main event, Jo Shimoda acknowledged flashing red lights displayed at the double before the finish jump, forcing the Honda HRC Progressive rider to roll the section and surrender significant time.

It enabled Pierce Brown (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) to complete what proved to be the race-winning pass, despite also appearing to complete the section under red-light conditions. The situation sparked confusion and protests from Honda post-race.

“It’s a huge morale boost,” Honda HRC Progressive team manager Lars Lindstrom explained. “I mean, both classes, right? We won both classes tonight. I’m not sure if you know that, but Jo really got the short-end of the stick on that red cross thing, which I’m still fighting right now, protesting right now.

“We’ve definitely been penalized [on the] red cross more than any other team and I’ve always accepted that. When the red light’s flashing right before the finish line, Jo did the right thing and he rolled. I feel like now is the time for them to stand by the rule book and do the right penalty, which is loss of a position for the position gained and five championship points.”

From Shimoda’s perspective, he saw the red lights on the up-ramp and rolled the double in accordance with the rules, with the resulting loss of momentum preventing him from clearing the finish double. That sequence, he said, may have cost him as much as three seconds.

“I did see a red light on the double, so I had to slow down,” the 250SMX champion recalled. “I had to roll the jump and I couldn’t get enough momentum to jump the finish line because the finish line [lights] weren’t on, but yeah, when I went through it was red, but no one was down.

“It wouldn’t make sense to me if someone was down before I hit the jump and right when I rolled the jump, it turned off… [that] makes sense, but if not, then I think it’s fair enough to have the points given to me. I think it was like two and a half [to] three seconds – I couldn’t jump this whole rhythm section, so it was big. Three points matter, maybe at the end of the year, but we’ll see.”

Communication on Sunday indicates that the ‘lead in warning light and finish line red lights were reviewed. No violation was determined.’ That declaration means that Brown will hold onto his first-career 250SX victory, with Shimoda credited second position.

In the 450SX, red-cross confusion involving Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb during the main event was described as a ‘clear-cut’ penalty by Lindstrom.

“That one is clear cut,” continued Lindstrom. “I don’t see how there’s any question on that one. So I mean, they’re going to be losing some points on that one, and I don’t think they gained any positions, so I guess they won’t get that, but that definitely helps us out. I think it’s five points, so I think [Hunter Lawrence’s] lead went from four points to nine points now, which is just, you know, significant – I can’t see that one being a question.”

However, following the review by race direction, a ‘no violation’ ruling was again issued: ‘Red light/red cross flag incident involving the leaders at the finish line jump was reviewed. No violation was determined.’

Lawrence, Tomac and Webb on the 2026 Arlington Supercross

Hunter Lawrence Breaks Through at Arlington

The 450SX Main Event was a showcase of Lawrence’s composure and skill. Roczen and Webb led early, with Tomac moving through from ninth and Lawrence closing from third. Lawrence made decisive passes over both Webb and Roczen, eventually pulling away for his first career win. Tomac finished second after an aggressive charge through the leaders, while Webb held onto the final podium spot. Several riders, including Garrett Marchbanks, Jason Anderson, and Malcolm Stewart, went down during the closing stages, emphasising the punishing nature of the track.

Fresh off his first career 450SX Main Event victory, Lawrence remained grounded as he reflected on the milestone moment:

“It’s cool, but we’ve got a lot of racing left. I’m happy to tick that little box. It’s a huge thank you to my team and everyone that’s around me. We’ve got an amazing group and that’s really the most valuable thing in my program. It takes a whole village to move mountains.

“Even when you get a sixth place it’s really tough, but man how cool it was racing against all those boys. Me and Kenny had some awesome back-and-forth, Coop was right there, Eli was right there. It’s pretty cool racing with the sport’s legends. Awesome.

Hunter Lawrence (#96) made his decisive move on Ken Roczen (#94) midway through the Main Event, capitalising on a small bobble to power past in the rhythm section and seize control of the race. Roczen went on to finish 4th.

Charging from outside the top 10 to finish second in Arlington, Eli Tomac credited his opening lap for salvaging his night:

“[The first lap] absolutely saved my race. I was happy to make some moves there and just happened to find openings that allowed me to pass two or three guys at a time. Somehow by Lap 2 or 3 I could see the front of the race and knew I was okay. What a difficult track tonight. I fought to the end as much as I could. Second was all we had tonight.”

After running in the lead battle for much of the Arlington Main Event, Cooper Webb admitted he left a little on the table despite securing a podium finish:

“It was a fun race, for sure, but I’m honestly a little bummed. I was pretty nice and should have been more aggressive with Roczen and maybe gotten the pass for the lead earlier. It was a sick race with all of us four bunched up there. I tried to make the pass on Roczen for second and Eli ended up getting me and ran me off the track, then Kenny got back by me. I kind of lost the tow of the leaders. I’m bummed at myself. I saw a few openings I should have taken, and I didn’t. I was too patient tonight. Overall, we’ll take it.”

Lawrence’s breakthrough also extended his championship lead, giving him 149 points, four ahead of Tomac (145) and sixteen clear of Webb (133), while Roczen (131) and Sexton (122) round out the top five in the standings.

Supercross 450 Round 7 Arlington

The 2026 AMA Supercross Championship made the trek to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for round seven of the 17-race series. It was a dry, hard and slippery racetrack. In the 450 class Cooper Webb and Ken Roczen battled from the start as Hunter Lawrence moved up to join the fray. Eli Tomac, who had gotten boxed off at the start, miraculously came from 11th to 4th. Lawrence and Roczen battled, with Hunter making several passing attempts only to be denied by Roczen’s race savvy. Finally, Lawrence built up a solid lead as Tomac moved into second and tried to close the gap. Lawrence held the point with Tomac second, Webb third and Roczen fourth. It was Hunter Lawrence first-ever 450 Supercross victory after 26 attempts.

Finally Hunter Takes First SX Win!

!. Lawrence

2. Tomac

3. Werb

What A Tease...An Oceanfront California MX Track

The north coast is beautiful and the old GP mill has been closed for years. Yes, there could be a great MX facility built but chances of that happening are slim to none. There is lots of land going unused and the city has never come up with a workable plan to develop it. I doubt this goes anywhere but we can dream!

Fort Bragg City Council prioritizes motocross and a pump track

This gate off Highway 20 leads to the most likely area where recreation will be developed by the Fort Bragg on the property off Summers Lane. (Photo by Michelle Blackwell

The Fort Bragg City Council Meeting on February 9th was a long and drawn-out affair, with Mayor Godeke at one point stopping the meeting for a vote to continue past 10 pm. And while many weighty subjects were covered, including a public hearing on fee increases across all departments, including the CV Starr Center, and a recycled water study report, the packed Town Hall was there because of a completely different type of recreation.

The agenda included a review of a recreation survey regarding the 400-plus acres the city purchased from the recreation district off Summers Lane. The council’s task was to determine what types of recreation would get into the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for review. Anything not in the EIR at the outset could trigger the need for further EIR supplements in the future, which would likely be an expensive and insurmountable barrier.

Local motocross and pump track enthusiasts were there in mass to promote the continued use of the site for their recreational needs. At least sixteen members of the public spoke in favor of motocross, and another handful also supported the pump track. A pump track is for non-motorized dirt bikes and includes a physically demanding and partially elevated loop track.

According to several speakers, the property was used by motocross enthusiasts for decades without a legal permit. It was at one-point private property before coming into the City’s hands. The City plans to build three water storage reservoirs on the site. The site includes sensitive pygmy forest and cypress trees, but it also sports miles of trails and backs up to the Humane Society and private property.

While most of the site is not slated for development, an approximately 4-acre portion near Highway 20 has been heavily disturbed and is the likeliest location for recreational amenities. The motocross enthusiasts are asking for 20 acres for their sport. They point out that the existing trails were created by them and also emphasize the need for activities for youth in the area. One young supporter, Deacon, age 7, talked about how much fun he has riding his motorized bike. While others pointed out that the closest legal track is in Marysville, CA, and that there are no legal places to ride along the northern California Coast. Several supporters mentioned the financial boon to the city, presumably from usage fees and tourism dollars. The council was unanimous in its support for motocross and a pump track. The council also asked that the EIR review the addition of flush toilets, an event space, a picnic area, and a small pond for miniature boats. Walking trails, interpretive signage, parking, and installing electricity will also be considered. Councilmember Peters did have some reservations about options that would introduce water to the area, suggesting that too much water would negatively impact the pygmy forest. While this was a small win for the motocross and pump track supporters, it remains to be seen if the EIR will support recreation activities.

The city also heard from its consultant about developing a recycled water program. Four types of recycled water treatment were considered. The least expensive recycled water has traditionally been used for irrigation, because it requires less treatment than drinking water. However, it didn’t pass the cost-benefit test in Fort Bragg because there is insufficient need for irrigated spaces within the city, and the few that exist are spread far apart. The cost of plumbing to those spaces would outweigh the benefit. Albin-Smith asked if they had included the mill site in their calculations. The consultant said they only considered existing facilities.

The other three options were variations on treating wastewater and introducing it back into the public water supply. The most cost-effective option includes treating the water at the wastewater plant with a series of high-tech processes to render it safe, and then storing and mixing it with other water sources before sending it to the water treatment plant for final treatment and distribution. The estimated cost for the project was approximately $56 million, and it could potentially provide water for about 2400 homes. Recycled water is often touted as a good source of supplemental water during drought, but in this scenario, it appeared to be intended for year-round usage. The option would require new training and certifications for staff. The studied project includes pumping the water back up hill to mix it with the water in the existing and future Summers Lane Reservoirs. No action was taken on the report. The study was paid for with grant funds from the State of California.

During a hearing on increasing city fees, various department heads discussed the types of fees they charge for services and recommended increases, primarily based on the cost of service. While most of it was non-controversial, the recommended changes to fees at the CV Starr center drew multiple public comments and created an extended discussion amongst the council. Some of the changes proposed were to simplify the fee schedule. CV Starr eliminated the family rate and planned to have just three categories: Youth, Adult, and Senior/Disabled Adult. The CV Starr Center wanted to increase the Senior/Disabled Adult rate by 44%, while the youth rate went up 11%. In the end, the council decided the Youth/Senior and Disabled Adult rate increases should be the same.

The second annual Blues Festival was formally announced and includes the addition of a large tent performance space on the Noyo Headlands, as well as shows at Town Hall, Tall Guy, the Skunk Train’s Glen Blair space, and Bainbridge Park. Coastal residents are encouraged to sign up early if they want tickets.

During public comment, a resident asked the city to look into installing water catchment systems on public buildings for water supply collection and to install EV chargers at the CV Starr Center.

Mayor Godeke announced that all parties have asked the courts for a 90-day stay to provide time for a settlement discussion about the mill site. The city is also putting out a survey this month on the mill site. City planner, Sarah McCormick, announced that the underground work for the Broadband project in the downtown is nearly complete, with a single crossing on Alder left to do. She also said that the city is in discussions with the contractors regarding the 3-million-dollar budget overage and that they understand it’s serious and are working on a solution. Chief Swift announced that the City of Santa Rosa has sent staff to Fort Bragg to train local officers on policing gangs. He also commended two Fort Bragg officers for their efforts in saving a resident.

Under consent, the city authorized a contract with Nichol’s Consulting Engineers for approximately $82,000 for the stormwater asset management plan. Accepted the certification of completion for two projects at the wastewater treatment plant. The city also plans a hearing in the near future to vacate various right-of-way. A map of the proposed property is available on the city website under the council agenda for the February 9th meeting.

Another Opinion...Jake Weimer

The Truth About Riding for Kawasaki in the 2010s | Jake Weimer Responds to Dan Fahie's Comments

Is Jorge Prado being proven right?

A lot of people owe Jorge Prado an apology.

The silky smooth Spaniard took slings and arrows from all directions after let’s say, subdued, performances last year on Kawasaki outdoors that still netted the four time world champ sixth overall in his AMA Motocross debut before splitting from the team after never gelling with the bike.

Prado never blamed himself, he always knew his ability on a bike he trusted and the results he could obtain. But he could never find that trust on the Kawasaki to show his real speed and the elite level riding that he had shown in MXGP.

Simultaneously, Chase Sexton wasn’t happy at KTM and wanted on the Kawasaki to show his true potential.

Now, after a bike swap for 2026 that cost Prado millions in salary to get back on a bike he trusts, the transformation has been remarkable. Six rounds in and Jorge Prado on the KTM is faster that Chase Sexton on the Kawasaki.

Prado hit the ground running with a stunning third at Anaheim 1, three heat race wins and the last two Supercross rounds saw him take the fastest time in two massively different conditions, ironically that one lap speed was Chase Sexton’s strength…until recently!

Sexton was fastest at A1 but since then, even despite that win at A2, Sexton has been constantly chasing set-up using Pro Circuit parts by week two and is now testing in Florida. Sexton has only one podium in six races and the always rapid American hasn’t even had the one lap speed to compete for top spot recently. If anything, things are getting worse.

Jake Weimer had an interesting chat on PulpMX about his time at Kawasaki even accusing the current Kawasaki team manager, Dan Fahie, of lying when Dan said the following a recent press conference: “When RV was here for example, I mean we were very flexible. We did what we needed to do to get him comfortable and I think we’re doing that today. So I don’t think it’s any different.”

Weimer responded: “(I) wrestled whether I should say something or not and I wrestled with it for about a month and finally I’m like, I’m saying something. There’s a few reasons and I guess ultimately he (Dan) lied. He could have said a lot of different things but what he chose to say is a lie and I don’t think that’s cool. It very very much affected my career, you know?

“I wasn’t able to try a lot of stuff, there wasn’t a lot of stuff available. They kind of had a package and I’m not giving you a scenario. I’m telling you what I was told…’this is how our motorcycle works. You need to learn how to ride it.’ That would prove to be not possible for me. I was able to find a little bit of success through a lot of really, really hard work on my end. I want to be very clear that my gripe is not with Kawasaki, my gripe is with Dan and I thought Dan was a friend of mine. I’ve spoke very highly of Dan for years.”

Full interview below:

With that bombshell from an angry Weimer and the reality Eli Tomac of ultimately leaving because they refused to make changes he wanted, it seems Prado was right all along and his results have proven it.

This article continues below

Ryan Hughes gave his opinion yesterday on the Whiskey Throttle Show: “Someone told me KTM has figured out the second injector on the 450 just like the 250. So for Eli that works really well because now when it revs it keeps revving. And Prado…all he wants is a bike a fast as you can possibly make it, because he rides so smooth and effortlessly that if you have that power you can be more patient.

“Maybe Kawasaki hasn’t been as creative or as technical in the last few years. If you ride the bike it feels great, they handle really good, but just maybe the factory hasn’t been as technical on their development or they are only using factory Kawasaki stuff and not looking outside the box to get different stuff like Star (when they took over factory Yamaha)… they weren’t just locked into the factory stuff.“

Chase Sexton does appear to be given more freedom but he can’t find a comfort level for his riding style yet and recent history shows most riders who don’t steer with the rear have not found sustained success on the Kawasaki. RV and Tomac were really aggressive riders who twisted the throttle hard and won.

Romain Febvre just won the MXGP world title so the bike can get the job done… Maybe the character of the bike also seems to suit a certain style of rider more than others?

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