Honda HRC PETRONAS rider Jeffrey Herlings has clinched the 2026 MXGP World Championship after an incredible run of results that has seen the Dutchman take the title with two rounds left the race.
It is his sixth world championship crown, and the third in the MXGP class, but the first title in what is his debut season on board the Honda CRF450RW. Joining the team on January 1st this year, the #84 has put in an immense amount of work to put himself in position to make this happen, and combined with the continued efforts of the whole of Honda HRC PETRONAS, this championship is testament to abilities of The Bullet and qualities of the Honda motorcycle.
Together, the pair have notched up 10 overall GP wins to takes Herlings’ tally to 122 – 61 in both the MX2 and MXGP class – and with two rounds remaining there is opportunity to increase those figures even more. Coming into Turkey, he also had the most qualifying race wins (7), the most GP race wins (16) and the most podiums (13) and had won the last 14 gate-drops in what was an incredible run of form that turned a 68-point deficit into a championship winning effort in just six rounds.
Jeffrey Herlings 84
Honda HRC PETRONAS
Wow. What a ride it’s been to win this sixth world title. Even since my last one in 2021 to finally get number six is just an incredible feeling. Joining Honda HRC PETRONAS on January 1st and everything being new, new bike, new team, new gear, and it hasn’t always been easy but I think you can see all the work that we’ve done and you can see the results on the track. Just so glad to have made it happen and a big thank you to the team and to my friends and family who have supported me through some tough times.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
Honda HRC PETRONAS
It has been an amazing effort from Jeffrey and the whole team. This year has been one of the hardest years, but I think it proves that hard work pays off because when you look at the performances that Jeffrey has been putting in this year, especially these last few weeks, this championship is exactly what he deserves. He is a tremendous talent and his determination is second to none, and to win this championship in his first season with the team, and on Honda machinery just shows how capable he is as a rider, and the strong capabilities of the bike. A big thank you to Jeffrey, to the whole team at the races, and also everyone back at Japan for helping make this happen, I am proud of everyone.
📸 @shotbybavo
