Herlings win again as Vialle and France take qualification honours at 2026 MXON

Continuing his GP win-streak, Honda HRC PETRONAS rider Jeffrey Herlings won the Open class qualification race at the 2026 Motocross of Nations, in Ernee, France, to give the Netherlands sixth gate-pick for tomorrow’s all-important races. While teammate Tom Vialle’s third place didn’t end up being needed, it still showed the all-round depth of France’s team as they led the Nations’ standings after qualification.

Both riders were listed in the Open class and while Vialle knew France would have first gate-pick due to results in the other two qualification races, he still wanted to put on a strong showing in front of the amazing French supporters who have come to this incredible circuit in Ernee. The noise was deafening as the French Honda CRF450RW rider took yet another holeshot, but just behind was Herlings who used the exceptional Honda power after a poor jump out of the gate.

Within a couple of corners, Herlings was past the crowd-favourite and well on his way to another race win. The Dutchman has been in imperious form since July and showed no signs of slowing down after his world championship winning campaign, taking the win by 19 seconds and moving the Netherlands up to sixth in the Saturday standings, which decide the gate-pick for the three races tomorrow.

Vialle ended up third, but France will have first pick tomorrow and will be strong favourites to win the Chamberlain Trophy for the first time since 2023, when Vialle was also part of the team. Herlings, will be trying to do his best individually for another class victory, but he also knows that the better he does, the more chance the Netherlands have of landing on the podium once again.

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MXGP Qualification Race
1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 24:32.499; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:01.923; 3. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:37.588; 4. Alberto Forato (ITA, Fantic), +0:40.359; 5. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:45.248; 6. Jed Beaton (AUS, Yamaha), +0:50.039; 7. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Fantic), +1:05.687; 8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +1:20.043; 9. Taylor Hammal (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:22.858; 10. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KTM), +1:27.086;

MX2 Qualification Race
1. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), 24:53.376; 2. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:06.159; 3. Levi Kitchen (USA, Kawasaki), +0:18.989; 4. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:20.331; 5. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:33.764; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KTM), +0:40.550; 7. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:45.439; 8. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Ducati), +0:49.378; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:58.744; 10. Alex Larwood (AUS, Honda), +0:59.325;

Open Qualification Race
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, Honda), 24:16.770;2. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:19.625; 3. Tom Vialle (FRA, Honda), +0:43.237; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:49.072; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +0:52.382; 6. Francisco Garcia (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:57.044; 7. Cooper Webb (USA, Husqvarna), +0:58.140; 8. Noah Ludwig (GER, KTM), +1:21.780; 9. Kevin Brumann (SUI, Husqvarna), +1:29.576; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, Triumph), +1:32.659;

Tom Vialle ¹⁶

Honda HRC PETRONAS

Good day overall, especially for France so happy with things right now. It’s great riding in front of such a loud crowd who are supporting us around the entire track. I got the holeshot from 22nd gate-pick, which gives me confidence for tomorrow, depending on how we decide to choose the picks. Then I rode a pretty solid race behind Jeffrey. A small mistake cost me a position but Team France is first overall and I think if we ride like we did today, we have a very good chance of winning it.

Jeffrey Herlings⁸⁴

Honda HRC PETRONAS

I didn’t get the best jump, but managed to come through the first turn right behind Tom (Vialle). I made a quick pass and then controlled the race and took the win. I think that gives the Netherlands a top six pick for tomorrow’s motos so that’s a good place to be, and I think we still have a shot at a podium.

Marcus Pereira de Freitas ^–

Honda HRC PETRONAS

Both riders showed their GP form today, and it was great to see the pair of them round the first corner in first and second place again. Jeffrey did what he’s been doing for the last few months and took the win in comfortable fashion while Tom showed his speed for a third place. Both know that tomorrow will be different, with more top quality riders on the gate, but if they can get those starts again, I think both of them could easily win a moto and have successful days for their countries.