Tom Vialle, Honda HRC’s new ace for the MXGP Motocross World Championship

After three years spent across the Atlantic, winning two consecutive AMA Supercross 250cc East Division titles, Tom Vialle will return to Europe in 2026. The French motocross rider, MX2 World Champion in 2020 and 2022, has signed a multi-year contract with Honda HRC to make his debut in the premier MXGP class of the Motocross World Championship. For the 2023 Motocross of Nations winner, his debut on the Honda CRF450R will actually take place this weekend at the Supercross de Paris.

Having spent his entire career with KTM, Tom Vialle had the chance in 2026 to continue his adventure in America by moving up to the 450cc premier class. However, the factory offered him a one-year deal, compared to the three-year contract proposed by Honda HRC to bring him back to the Old Continent while simultaneously debuting in the premier class. For this reason, the two-time MX2 world champion chose to embrace the Honda project, where he will form a dream trio with the confirmed Ruben Fernandez and, soon to be announced, Jeffrey Herlings.

"Clearly this represents a big change for me, but I felt the time was right at this point in my career," explained Tom Vialle. "I already have a lot of experience in the Motocross World Championship, I’ve kept an eye on the series in recent years and when I found out Honda HRC wanted to sign me, I didn’t think twice. I’ve seen what they’ve achieved in these years and I knew full well there wouldn’t be a better opportunity for me. It won’t be easy to target the championship right away, but that’s my goal once I find the right feeling with the CRF450R."

Honda announced today the agreement with Tom Vialle, just in time for his first competitive outing. This weekend he will compete in the 42nd edition of the Supercross de Paris, lining up in the SX1 premier class against brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence as well as Cooper Webb. They could have been his rivals in America in 2026, but he’ll face them only this weekend and, presumably, at the 2026 Motocross of Nations.