Vialle and Herlings represent Honda HRC PETRONAS at 2026 Motocross of Nations
ErneeIn 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.
The Motocross of Nations is always a special event and even more so when it’s in France, in front of a home crowd. Last time we raced in Ernee, in 2023, I was part of the team that won and that was an amazing occasion so I’m hoping that this year we can do the same. My form is really good right now so I think I can do well, and I trust Romain and Mathis to perform at a strong level as well. It’s going to be a crazy event, but I’m excited to finish this season on a high note.
The Motocross of Nations is always a special event and even more so when it’s in France, in front of a home crowd. Last time we raced in Ernee, in 2023, I was part of the team that won and that was an amazing occasion so I’m hoping that this year we can do the same. My form is really good right now so I think I can do well, and I trust Romain and Mathis to perform at a strong level as well. It’s going to be a crazy event, but I’m excited to finish this season on a high note.
I wasn’t part of the Dutch team last year, so it’s nice to get the chance to represent my country again. We have a good team this year, and hopefully we can avoid some of the bad luck that has followed us in previous editions. I’m riding in the Open class, just to give Roan a bit more recovery time, but the goal is to score two good motos and try to get us on the podium. There are quite a few teams in with a shot this year and you never know what is going to happen but it’s a cool event and one that I still want to try and do well at.
I wasn’t part of the Dutch team last year, so it’s nice to get the chance to represent my country again. We have a good team this year, and hopefully we can avoid some of the bad luck that has followed us in previous editions. I’m riding in the Open class, just to give Roan a bit more recovery time, but the goal is to score two good motos and try to get us on the podium. There are quite a few teams in with a shot this year and you never know what is going to happen but it’s a cool event and one that I still want to try and do well at.
The Nations is always a nice way to end the year, because while it is an important race for all the countries, there is always more of a fun atmosphere. This year we have Enzo Lopes (Brazil) and Yuki Okura (Japan) in our trucks alongside Tom and Jeffrey so that will be cool, and it is one of the best aspects of the event. We are sad that Chance got injured and couldn’t represent Team USA, because it is great seeing our American counterparts, but Trey Canard and Justin Brayton will be here with the Honda CR Electric Proto so that will be interesting. Overall, we just hope that all our riders can go out there and finish off this year in a good way.
The Nations is always a nice way to end the year, because while it is an important race for all the countries, there is always more of a fun atmosphere. This year we have Enzo Lopes (Brazil) and Yuki Okura (Japan) in our trucks alongside Tom and Jeffrey so that will be cool, and it is one of the best aspects of the event. We are sad that Chance got injured and couldn’t represent Team USA, because it is great seeing our American counterparts, but Trey Canard and Justin Brayton will be here with the Honda CR Electric Proto so that will be interesting. Overall, we just hope that all our riders can go out there and finish off this year in a good way.
