DIRT NEWS
TOM VIALLE JOINS HONDA HRC
After KTM said farewell and thanks to two-time MX2 World Champion and double-SX 250cc champion Tom Vialle last month, it was only a matter of time before we found out his next step. And that is Honda HRC in a multi-year deal, which will see the Frenchman step up into the MXGP class for the foreseeable future. Vialle, who recently gained his second World SuperMotocross podium, chose to switch brands away from KTM with whom he’ s had such success with so far, to ride the CRF450R in the FIM MX1 world series. Honda HRC has a long history of winning races and championships, and the team is hoping Vialle can hit the ground running, and use the off-season to fully prepare for the rigours of the 2026 MXGP World Championship, with 20 rounds located around the globe. Having already won two MX2 titles, Vialle will be familiar with the series’ logistics, but with a couple more rounds, points for qualification races, and a more diverse calendar than when he last rode in 2022, there will still be a some adapting needed if he wants to challenge at front of this competitive field straight away. Helping him adjust to the MXGP class will be returning Ruben Fernandez, who has re-signed with Honda HRC, as he attempts to better his fourth place in the 2025 World Championship and add to his win and podium tally with the team. The Spaniard showed a lot of speed and consistency last year, and alongside Vialle, will provide a high-level threat on their Honda CRF450Rs. About the change, Vialle said,“ This is obviously a big change for me, but I felt it was the right
change at this point in my career. I have a lot of experience riding in the world championships, so I’ ve always kept an eye on the series and how things are going over there and when I found out that Honda HRC was interested in signing me, I knew that I wasn’ t going to get a better opportunity. I’ ve seen what they’ ve been able to achieve on the track, and I’ ve heard nothing but good things about them as a team off the track, so this just seemed like the perfect time to come back to the world championship series and try to continue my previous world championship success into the MXGP class. I know it won’ t be easy, and there’ ll be a big learning curve to get used to the Honda CRF450R, but I’ m confident in my abilities and I can’ t wait to get started!” First though for Vialle, we will see him at the Paris SX, giving him a gate-drop in front of his home crowd, allowing him to ease himself into the team dynamic, whilst his countrymen cheer him on and welcome back one of their own. Then the preparations begin for a 2026 MXGP campaign that concludes with the Motocross of Nations being held in Ernee, France – a track where Vialle won the MXON in 2023.
KIWI RIDER 15