HRC stars dominate MXGP of Argentina
By Team TMX on 9th Mar 26
The 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship roared into life in spectacular fashion at the season-opening MXGP of Argentina, where Jeffrey Herlings delivered a flawless debut for Honda HRC Petronas with a dominant 1-1 performance at the spectacular Bariloche MX Race Track.
After a difficult qualifying race on Saturday, the Dutchman bounced back in emphatic style to claim his 113th career Grand Prix victory, taking control of the championship lead thanks to two race wins.
Reigning champion Romain Febvre began his title defence solidly with second overall for Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP, while former MX2 World Champion Tom Vialle impressed on his full-time MXGP debut with third overall, completing a strong opening weekend for Honda.
Packed hillsides of fans were treated to intense racing around the fast, wide Argentine circuit, which had been lightly reworked overnight to make conditions more technical under the blazing Patagonian sunshine.
Herlings made a perfect start in race one, grabbing the holeshot ahead of teammate Vialle and Andrea Adamo.
The early laps saw a thrilling battle develop at the front, with Vialle launching a bold move around the outside to take the lead on lap four. Behind them, Febvre and rising star Lucas Coenen worked their way into contention.
Herlings bided his time before striking late in the race, sweeping past Vialle in the closing stages to secure the win. Febvre held off Coenen for third, while Pauls Jonass completed the top five.
Further back, Tim Gajser battled through injuries from a Saturday crash to finish sixth ahead of Maxime Renaux.
The second moto began chaotically after an aborted start forced a red flag and restart.
Renaux grabbed the holeshot when racing resumed, but Vialle quickly moved into the lead while Febvre slotted into second.
Herlings initially found himself outside the top ten and faced a serious charge through the field. Using a fast line along the start straight, the Dutchman picked off rivals one by one, first passing Gajser and then Vialle.
When Renaux crashed while battling stomach cramps, the focus shifted to a tense fight between Herlings and Febvre. With only a handful of laps remaining, Herlings launched a decisive cutback pass that sent the Argentine crowd into a frenzy and secured both the race and the Grand Prix victory.
Gajser finished third in the race, with Vialle fourth and Ruben Fernandez rounding out the top five.
Herlings’ perfect 50-point score means he and teammate Vialle leave Argentina tied at the top of the championship, although the Dutchman carries the red plate thanks to his superior race wins tally.
Febvre sits just two points behind after a consistent weekend, while Coenen and Gajser complete the early top five.
With the opening round delivering drama, speed and packed crowds, the 2026 MXGP season has already laid down a serious marker ahead of round two in Europe.
