In what is known as the ‘Olympics of Motocross’, Honda HRC PETRONAS riders Tom Vialle (France) and Jeffrey Herlings (Netherlands) will both be representing their countries in Ernee, France for what is the biggest race of the year – the 2026 Motocross of Nations.
Both riders have won the event before, with Vialle’s victory coming in 2023 at the same venue, in what was an amazing spectacle both on and off the race track. Given the unique layout of the Ernee circuit, the packed hillside provided a crazy atmosphere that helped Team France win that year and Vialle will be hoping he can give those same home fans some more to cheer this time around.
Herlings also knows what it’s like to win a home Nations, when he won in 2019 in Assen, but this time around he’ll be up against the local fans when he lines up for the Netherlands, as they look to win the event for the first time since that historic moment in 2019.
Both riders are entering into the event in good form, with Herlings winning the last GP of the year in Australia one-one and keeping his moto win-streak alive at 16. He then won the Dutch Championship round at Heerde, this past weekend by a combined two minutes plus so will be hoping he can add to those wins in what is a completely different racing environment.
Vialle also ended the season with five podiums in a row, and ended Herlings’ race streak when he won the Australian GP qualification last time out. With the home support cheering him on, combined with this being a successful track for him anyway, should give him plenty of confidence he can help Team France to their first victory since 2023.
Also under the Honda HRC awning will be Enzo Lopes (Brazil) and Yuki Okura (Japan) in what is truly an international flavour for the weekend for the team.
