HRC team owner Giacomo Gariboldi chats about the introduction of Jeffrey Herlings into his team in 2026. Exciting times for the sport.

MXLarge: On the eve of a new season, the team will line up at the Internazionali d’Italia with major news, including the arrival of Jeffrey Herlings. What is the atmosphere like within the team?

Gariboldi: I can honestly say there is a level of excitement within the team that I haven’t felt for several years. The arrival of Herlings and Vialle has brought fresh energy to everyone and has revived that sense of anticipation and enthusiasm that had faded somewhat in recent times. Their presence has also given Fernández and Lata an extra boost, as they too want to be protagonists this season. The atmosphere is excellent and the desire to perform is very strong. Riders like Jeffrey Herlings automatically raise the bar even higher. With 112 GP victories to his name, no one else comes close, and we want to try to help him extend that record even further.”

MXLarge: You have spent many years at the top of the motocross world championship with numerous successes, but managing a team at this level—where winning is the only objective—is not always easy. How do you keep everything balanced?

Gariboldi: A team like ours must always start with the ambition to win. Unfortunately, injuries sometimes get in the way and prevent us from achieving the final goal. Everything is planned and organized down to the smallest detail with one single purpose: to help Honda win another title. That is also the philosophy of our new riders—only winning counts. This should not be seen as arrogance, but simply as the goal and the reason for everyone working for this great brand.”

MXLarge: Honda HRC is the flagship of Honda in motocross and a true symbol for many fans. Passion first brought you into this sport, but how does it feel to now be at the helm of this team and represent these colors?

Gariboldi: Representing the largest racing department in the world (F1, MotoGP, SBK, Rally and Trial) is above all an honor, one that I hope to continue to deserve for many years to come. Only those who experienced the 1980s with HRC in motocross can truly understand what this logo represents. At that time, I was a fan and had the privilege of admiring those incredible motorcycles. To now be part of this organization is a dream and a tremendous privilege.”

MXLarge: HRC – Honda Racing Corporation – is synonymous with prototypes, testing and innovation, with components developed in racing that later find their way onto production bikes. This also applies to the Honda that will race in 2026. What can you tell us about it?

Gariboldi: Our CRF is still a prototype, a project that needs further development and has enormous potential, which will ultimately be transferred to our customers’ motorcycles. In October, I was at HRC in Tokyo and visited the R&D department, where no fewer than 35 engineers are working on this CRF project. It is impressive to see how much technology is involved and how these engineers brainstorm together to find areas for improvement. I believe we will see several stages of development throughout the season in the hands of our three MXGP riders.”

MXlarge: You always look ahead, but when reflecting on the evolution of the sport, how do you view the current state of motocross, especially the world championship?

Gariboldi: The MXGP championship is without a doubt the most competitive motocross championship in the world. There are many factory manufacturers involved and we have the best riders, as also confirmed by the Motocross of Nations. What could be improved is filling the starting gates—we should aim to always have 40 riders. That is currently the only real limitation. Track preparation may also need to be reviewed at times, as it too often results in a single main line, which can make races less spectacular. For manufacturers, however, it remains an essential and outstanding international showcase.”

MXLarge: The 2026 season kicks off with the Internazionali d’Italia, where your team is traditionally present. Why are these races so important at the start of the year?

Gariboldi: For us, the Internazionali d’Italia have always been the key races to test everything and everyone before the start of the world championship. They are held on excellent circuits and at the perfect time on the calendar, allowing us to complete our testing and then arrive fully prepared for the first Grand Prix. That’s why we cannot miss them, even though every year we receive invitations from other organizers. For us, these two Italian events always take priority.”

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