Gajser and Herlings switching teams in 2026?

Major news and rumours have broken into the motocross world in the last days. Two of the most successful riders of the last decade are supposedly switching teams for the 2026 season.

As Lewis Phillips from Vital MX reported, that Tim Gajser already signed a contract with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team, meaning he’s leaving Team HRC at the end of this season. Although Tim on his Facebook story said: “At the moment I can’t say anything”, the sources across the web strongly suggest it is a done-deal.

For motocross fans around the world it is hard to imagine the 5-time world champion on any other colour, but as we dig a little deeper it all makes a lot of sense.

Tim is the only top MXGP rider without a major personal sponsor (like RedBull, Monster Energy,…). That was also a clash between the rider and the team a couple of year ago, as Honda supposedly was not fond of Gajser having a such big personal sponsor, without including the whole team into it. Such condition is understandably frustrating as Tim with his first MX2 title literally put Honda back on the map with their first such title in 20 years in 2015 and afterwards also adding 4 more MXGP titles.

And what does Tim get with a move to Yamaha? Exactly that – Monster Energy. A major sponsor which can significantly increase financial and marketing opportunities. That would also put Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team in immediate title contention with a very strong core in Tim Gajser and Maxime Renaux. The future for Calvin Vlaanderen and Jago Geerts is at the moment still uncertain.

And who would replace Tim at the Team HRC? Rumour has it that it would be no one else but “The Bullet” – Jeffrey Herlings. Reportedly the contract is not yet signed, but considering that was about to happend, would put Team HRC in immediate title contention, even with losing Tim Gajser. Also Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has their next season secured with MXGP’s new superstar in Lucas Coenen. So as both teams would probably have tears in their eyes as the 5-time world champions leave, they could easier move on to their next chapter.

Team HRC does still have one uncertainty as Tom Viale’s future in the USA is still not clear. Reports are, if he was about to come back to the MXGP, Team HRC is considered among the favourites to land the young Frenchman in their team. But as for now, Tom has not yet decided where he will twist the throttle in the next season.

Assuming everyone being healthy and fully-fit, such transitions would make the 2026 MXGP title very, very interesting. Also the balance of power between the manufacturers would be then more evenly distributed, as at least 4 teams have main title contenders:

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – Lucas Coenen

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team – Tim Gajser

Team HRC – Jeffery Herlings

Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP – Romain Febvre

And besides all that, maybe Maxime Renaux joins the party, or maybe, just maybe some rookie surprises us. We’ll see, but what stands for now, we’re up for a very interesting 2026 MXGP season.

When we get to know anything more, we will let you know. Stay tuned!