Amazingly, after grabbing his fifth world motocross championship in 2021, we all thought number six would come quickly, but again, injuries stalled Jeffrey Herlings progress, but now, on a new team, new bike and new gear, the Dutchman has claimed number six and joins Joel Robert as the third most successful rider in GP history and is only placed behind Stefan Everts and Antonio Cairoli on the all-time list.

In many people’s eyes, probably the fastest GP rider of all time and only injuries stopped him from becoming the greatest of all time. Herlings can now look forwards 2027, with Lucas Coenen heading to USA and the HRC man has to be a heavy favourite to add number seven next year.

With news that he wants to sign another two-year contract with HRC, you have to think he might, with his mature head and very consistent machine, he can make a charge for titles number seven, eight or even nine.

Jeffrey Herlings: I slept three hours last night and thought of everything that what can happen. I want to give it to all of the Honda team for what they did for me. We had everything new and I am looking forward to next year.

MXGP Moto One

Herlings with the lead in the opening MXGP moto and possibly on the way to world title number six. What a moment in the sports history. Gajser was second, then Vialle, Febvre, Adamo, Forato, Jonass, Vlaanderen, Seewer and Horgmo.

Herlings lead over Gajser was 1.4 seconds, with Vialle three seconds back and Fevre four seconds off the pace of the Dutchman. Lap five the lead by Herlings was four seconds, with Gajser another couple of seconds ahead of Vialle, with Febvre six seconds off the leader.

Sixteen minutes and three laps and Herlings slowly crawling to his sixth world title and a piece of Grand Prix history. In what is such a legendary moto in terms of Herlings sixth world titles, not a lot happening as on lap 10, Herlings lead was still 3.4 seconds and with 10 minutes remaining, that world title is getting closer and closer.

Six minutes remaining and Herlings lead just 2.5, but no doubt, with only Febvre a shot at stopping Herlings title victory back in fourth and 6.7 behind, its now Herlings putting one hand on the championship trophy. A day in MX history just minutes away and a very deserving world champion.

Febvre pushing Vialle for third place and clearly not wanting to end the defence of his title just yet, but time running out for the Frenchman as he moved into third place. Herlings with 1.8 over Gajser and Febvre 6.3 behind the leader.

Three minutes remaining and Herlings just cruising to number six. Three laps remaining and Herlings must feel a huge emotion after losing so many titles due to injury and not having a world title in five years. Herlings wins the moto and the world motocross championship of 2026.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, Honda), 34:27.218; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Yamaha), +0:03.637; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:18.321; 4. Tom Vialle (FRA, Honda), +0:24.478; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:51.370; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +0:56.371; 7. Alberto Forato (ITA, Fantic), +0:59.218; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KTM), +1:05.096; 9. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Ducati), +1:06.311; 10. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +1:08.424; 11. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:22.495; 12. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +1:27.707; 13. Jago Geerts (BEL, Beta), +1:30.613; 14. Rick Elzinga (NED, KTM), +1:46.798; 15. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Ducati), +1:57.948; 16. Yigit Ali Selek (TUR, GASGAS), -4 lap(s); 17. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Fantic), -17 lap(s);