A look back at a golden era – and the one dream that has yet to be fulfilled
For seventeen years, Jeffrey Herlings painted the motocross world orange. Victories, deep lows, and broken records form the backbone of his KTM chapter, yet one dream still remains unfulfilled. He describes the goal that’s still out there as “that one MXGP title I want to win before I retire.” That desire — almost obsessive in its simplicity — forms the foundation of his move to Honda.
Farewell to KTM: emotional,
but above all mature and businesslike
Although the move was made on rational grounds, the emotional layer is still evident. After years of working with the same people, letting go was intense. Yet Herlings shows a grounded maturity. As he puts it: “Saying goodbye to some people was tough, but yeah… life goes on.”
The departure didn’t need theatrics — no grand ceremony, no drama. According to him, KTM and Herlings concluded their partnership “as well as possible” and in a professional manner.
He doesn’t deny that there were alternatives. But he chose what felt right at that moment — Honda HRC.
Why Honda became the perfect match: one contract detail that changed everything
Honda’s massive structure, technical expertise, and history of world titles all played a role, but in the end it was one line in the contract that truly struck Herlings.
He puts it plainly: “Honda gave me a contract without an injury clause.”
In motorsport, that is nothing less than a power move. It shows unconditional trust — exactly what Herlings needed after years filled with physical setbacks. It also defines the relationship between both parties: mutual, solid, and without reservations.
From KTM to Honda: like being launched from Earth to Pluto
The switch felt like an interplanetary journey. Herlings had ridden exclusively on KTM since 2009 and only stepped onto a Honda for the first time after signing his contract. He sums it up perfectly: “I had never ridden another bike. The choice was purely based on feeling.”
The first laps in the Dutch sand took some getting used to, but they were promising. The bike is different, the feedback is different, the flow is different — which isn’t surprising after 17 years. Yet one element stood out immediately in a positive way:
“The steering of the Honda is truly incredibly good.”
According to Herlings, that already gives the new base an impressively strong starting point.
The three men who convinced him
Within Honda HRC, three people were decisive: Giacomo Gariboldi, Marcus Freitas, and Roger Harvey. Their vision, trust, and clear communication formed the core of his decision. What makes this switch even more genuine is that Herlings emphasizes that no one — absolutely no one — influenced his choice. “I made the decision entirely on my own, without letting myself be swayed.”
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What does a successful 2026 MXGP season look like?
While the outside world mainly talks about titles, Herlings sets the bar more nuanced — yet still ambitious.
He defines success as “a top 3 in the final standings, multiple podiums, and a few victories.”
The world title? Of course, that remains the dream. “The cherry on the cake,” as he calls it. But he places health — after years filled with injuries — above everything. Because to win, you first have to stay in one piece.
Supercross season 2026 and Jorge Prado’s performance upon returning to KTM
Prado’s resurgence on KTM doesn’t come as a surprise to Herlings.
“He feels much more at home on the KTM,” he says, referring to the seasons in which Prado became world champion on that same brand.
His predictions are clear: he sees Hunter Lawrence as the Supercross champion, and Jett Lawrence as the outdoor favorite — provided they stay healthy.
On his own switch, he is sharp: Prado’s disappointing Kawasaki year is not comparable, according to Herlings. “Prado went to do a different discipline, on a different continent.”
His own reset, he says, simply has to turn out better than Prado’s.
A NEW BEGINNING filled with gratitude and motivation
Herlings shows both gratitude and hunger.
“I want to thank KTM for the amazing years, and Honda for the trust.”
The next chapters are set to be exciting, intense, and perhaps even historic. The goal is clear, concrete, and unchanged: to capture that world title one more time.
His move is not an ending — it’s a restart at the highest level.
One final hunt. A new mission. A completely new fire.
MX Active also spoke with the very enthusiastic HRC Team Owner Giacomo Gariboldi. Read his story below.
HRC TEAM OWNER GIACOMO GARIBOLDI
FIRST MEETING THAT IMMEDIATELY FELT RIGHT
Giacomo Gariboldi “I can tell you, I’ve never seen in 40 years of motocross such a professional and dedicated athlete, his only focus and goal is the win, he doesn’t care about the other places, he races to win and you can see it from the number of GP wins he has under his belt! He is a winning machine.”
The first conversations between HRC and Jeffrey Herlings originated during the 2024 Motocross of Nations in Ernée. Although exploratory discussions took place there, Honda’s interest had been present much longer. Within the team, Herlings was seen as someone who fit perfectly with Honda’s sporting vision and ambition.
Giacomo Gariboldi: “Jeffrey had been on our radar for years — simply because he is the fastest rider in the world.”
A collaboration that began professionally and intensively
Since the start of the partnership, january 2026, the way of working with Herlings has been characterized by intensive communication and strong involvement in bike development. Within the HRC structure, Herlings is extremely precise, yet flexible enough to embrace new technical perspectives.
Giacomo Gariboldi: “He knows exactly what he wants, but is also open to new solutions. That makes the process efficient and motivating for everyone.”
Giacomo Gariboldi: “Communication has been clear and professional from day one — exactly what you expect from someone at his level.”
His technical feedback is regarded as highly valuable by the engineers. It enables the team to develop and refine at a rapid pace. The fact that Herlings is adapting so quickly to the internal structure has pleasantly surprised HRC.
HRC TEAM OWNER GIACOMO GARIBOLDI
Ambitions, expectations, and a clear goal
The shared ambition for the partnership is clear: winning Jeffrey Herlings’ sixth world championship. His impressive end to last season — in which he won multiple Grands Prix — strengthens the team’s belief that this goal is realistic.
Giacomo Gariboldi:
“Looking at how he finished the season, we believe that sixth world championship is absolutely within reach.”
Although an MXGP season remains long and unpredictable, Honda’s commitment is unmistakable.
Giacomo Gariboldi: “We will do everything we can to deliver Jeffrey his first world title on a red CRF.”
The goal for a successful season is therefore crystal clear
Giacomo Gariboldi: “The 2026 campaign is only truly successful if we win the MXGP title — with Jeffrey, or with Tom or Ruben.”
With Tom and Ruben alongside Herlings, the team has a line‑up capable of fighting for victory almost every weekend. The internal dynamics and competitive strength of the group form a solid foundation for the season.
Giacomo Gariboldi:
“With this trio, we have a line‑up that can battle for the win nearly every weekend.”
