Tom Vialle joins Honda HRC for MXGP challenge in statement signing
Two-time MX2 World Champion and double-SX 250cc champion, Tom Vialle has signed for Honda HRC in a multi-year deal, that will see the Frenchman step up into the MXGP class for the foreseeable future. Knowing this was a critical time in his career, Vialle – who recently gained his second World SuperMotocross podium – chose to switch brands and continents as he returns to the world motocross series and tries to continue his successful career on-board the Honda CRF450R.
Indeed, the prowess of this powerhouse machine, was one of the main reasons Vialle is returning ‘home’ after his stint in America, because the chance to ride a factory CRF450R doesn’t come around very often, and he didn’t want to let that opportunity slip through his fingers. The move up to the bigger bikes is such an important step to take, he knew that the right equipment and the right environment was paramount to helping continue his run of winning trophies.
Known as one of the most professional teams in the paddock, and one that has a long history of winning races and championships, Honda HRC are hoping that Vialle can hit the ground running, and use this off-season to fully prepare for the rigours of the 2026 MXGP World Championship, with 20 rounds located around the globe. Having won two MX2 titles, he will be familiar with a lot of the logistics that this series presents, 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 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.
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 previously in 2023.
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Career Highlights
- 2025 – 3rd SuperMotocross 250 World Championship
- 2025 – 5th AMA Pro Motocross 250 Championship
- 2025 – 1st AMA Supercross 250 East Champion
- 2024 – 2nd SuperMotocross 250 World Championship
- 2024 – 2nd AMA Pro Motocross 250 Championship
- 2024 – 1st AMA Supercross 250 East Champion
- 2023 – 1st FIM Motocross of Nations Champion
- 2023 – AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and SMX debut
- 2022 – 1st FIM MX2 Motocross World Champion
- 2021 – 3rd FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship
- 2020 – 1st FIM MX2 Motocross World Champion
Tom Vialle 16
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 were 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!
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
I think Tom joining Honda HRC is a big statement and quite a coup for the team. He’s a double world champion in motocross and a two-time SX champion as well, so to be able to get someone as talented as he is, to join the team at this stage of his career just shows that we are doing all the right things. Of course, this will be the first time he’ll be racing on a 450cc machine, but throughout his career he’s dealt with changes and new environments, so we are all confident that he’ll be able to adapt to the Honda CRF450R. He has the Paris SX race first up, which is something new to our team, so we’ll all be learning together there, but after that it’ll be purely motocross and trying to get him ready for the 2026 MXGP World Championship.
