MXGP rider market: Herlings goes to Honda, Gajser moves to Yamaha and Kawasaki

The MXGP rider market for the 2026 season has entered its decisive phase, and numerous rumors, while yet to be officially confirmed, are already stirring up activity in the paddock. Some of these concern a couple of key, multi-titled riders on the grid. The most credible concerns Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings , now a sure thing for Honda HRC after a lifetime at KTM. The second, consequential one, concerns Tim Gajser 's departure from the factory Honda team to join another Japanese manufacturer, with Yamaha and, more discreetly, Kawasaki poised to secure the services of the Slovenian champion.

So, after 15 years of living almost in symbiosis with KTM , Jeffrey Herlings is now ready to turn the page and embark on a new chapter in his already extraordinary career. Born in 1994, with five world titles under his belt (two in MXGP and three in MX2) and over 100 victories to his name, the Flying Dutchman has been one of the most highly rated riders in international motocross for years, thanks to a crystal-clear talent that has, however, all too often been hampered by injury. This season, the now thirty-year-old Herlings has been plagued by physical problems, but his desire to get back in the game, combined with the corporate problems that have plagued KTM in recent months, have convinced him to accept the court of Honda HRC and join the team led by Giacomo Gariboldi . Here, he will inherit the role of first rider from Tim Gajser, who has clashed with management and is now on the verge of changing sides. Herlings's hiring is a strong signal from Honda, reaffirming its desire to return to the top of the discipline. The second bike is expected to be ridden by Frenchman Tom Vialle , winner of the last two 250cc American Supercross titles.

While Herlings' arrival at Honda seems a done deal, the situation regarding Tim Gajser 's next destination isn't as clear. The twenty-eight-year-old Slovenian champion, also a five-time world champion (four in MXGP and one in MX2), is also coming off a long stint with HRC, which appears to have come to an end due to budget constraints and a schedule that isn't sufficiently aligned with his ambitions. The most likely destination seems to be Yamaha , where he could replace Dutchman Glenn Coldenhoff or partner Frenchman Maxime Renaux in a significantly restructured team. According to several sources, Gajser has even signed a contract with the manufacturer in recent days, but other rumors point to a move to Kawasaki as the preferred option. This option, however, would open the doors to a difficult cohabitation with the current leader of the MXGP world championship, Frenchman Romain Febvre , another classic "first rider" and 2015 world champion who the Akashi-based manufacturer already has under contract for 2026.

Inevitably, the double transfer of two big names like Herlings and Gajser could trigger a domino effect in the motocross rider market. Their new position is destined to shift the hierarchy of the MXGP world championship and could influence the choices of other top riders and the strategies of the manufacturers themselves. KTM , bereft of Herlings, could focus decisively on the Belgian brothers Sacha and especially Lucas Coenen , already confirmed in orange for 2026 and therefore destined to remain in Europe with the De Carli team. The option of promoting Italian Andrea Adamo , currently second in the MX2 world championship, to the premier class also remains open. The situation is more fluid for two manufacturers who have recently entered motocross: Ducati is finalizing its new partnership with the Wilvo team, which is close to separating from Fantic . Meanwhile, Triumph , after its debut in Moto2, will make its debut in MXGP next year, relying on the young Dane Mikkel Haarup .