Major Team Shifts Announced for MXGP Stars Herlings and Gajser
In a significant shakeup for the MXGP, five-time world champions Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser have officially announced their team changes for the 2026 season, transitioning from KTM and Honda, respectively, to Honda HRC and Yamaha.
This announcement arrives a day later due to differing contract timelines in Europe, where the MXGP season does not commence until March. Herlings, who spent 16 years with KTM, and Gajser, a decade with Honda, both faced the end of their contracts on December 31, 2025.
Rider Statements:
Herlings expressed enthusiasm for his new role with Honda HRC: “I’m so excited to join Honda HRC and ride a CRF450R… it wasn’t a hard decision… I knew I’d be joining an extremely professional and organized operation.” He acknowledged the short timeframe to adapt to the new machine, stating, “I can’t wait to get started as a factory HRC rider.”
Gajser echoed similar sentiments regarding his transition to Yamaha: “After more than a decade with the same brand, it’s exciting to enter a new chapter… I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Context and Competition:
Both riders will not only seek to acclimate to their new machines but also contend with reigning champion Romain Febvre from Kawasaki and rising star Lucas Coenen of KTM, who finished as the top two in the 2025 season.
This unexpected shift marks a new era in MXGP, with Herlings in red Honda gear—a departure from the iconic orange of KTM—and Gajser donning Yamaha colors. As the season approaches, the dynamics of these veteran champions will be crucial in determining their performance against established rivals.
