Rider Reflections: 2026 MXGP of Czech Republic
Read what a host of MXGP riders had to say about their weekend at the 2026 MXGP of Czech Republic.
MXGP
Jeffrey Herlings: "One-one-one is exactly what I needed to do, and I just felt really good all weekend. The Honda is so good on this hard-pack terrain, it just sticks to the ground, and when I get three starts like I did, it really makes life a lot easier. I know I have the red plate right now, but I also know that it doesn’t really mean anything and that I have to keep performing like this for the last six rounds. We’ve seen what has happened already this year, and I’ve lost big leads before myself, so I’m not going to stop working until we have the gold plate. A big thanks to the whole of Honda HRC PETRONAS for all their hard work this year, because I think you can see that it is really paying off."
Tom Vialle: "It was great to get back on the podium after a tough stretch of races, including missing a few rounds with injury. It was hard after that because the guys are running so fast, and it is still my first season back in the GPs and on a 450, so I’ve been working extremely hard, and now the work has paid off. There is definitely more to come, though, and I’ll keep working, and with these starts I’ve been getting, I know I am capable of even more in these remaining six rounds."
Romain Febvre: "After I came back strongly to second in the first moto, I knew the start would be important in race two, but I got caught up in a crash at the first corner; my bike was blocked with that of other riders; I was stuck on the top of one bike with another on top of mine, and it took me something like twenty seconds to rejoin the race. I thought the podium was over, but I dug deep and had good lines to finish fifth; I am so proud of this podium. Nothing has changed in my approach to the championship. I always try to ride as well as I can; that's the only way to fight for the title."
Rubén Fernández: "I think I did about as well as I could have done today, and I can leave with my head held high. Race one was a tough one, and I got knocked about a bit before finding my rhythm. This dropped me a few spots, but I moved up through the field to fifth, with the top four too far ahead. I knew I needed a better start in race two, and that’s exactly what I managed to do, putting myself in position to see the front guys. I did lose touch a bit, but I still finished fourth, and that gave me fourth overall – again. I’d love to be on the podium, but we have six rounds remaining, and I’m determined to get up there before the end of the season."
Tim Gajser: “It was another Grand Prix where we were still searching for the right feeling. We tried a lot of different things this weekend, and we made some big changes before the second moto, and that definitely improved things. I'm pleased with how the second moto went, although, of course, I'd rather have been fighting for first or second. The speed was much better, Jeffrey Herlings wasn't far ahead, and we were able to pull away from the riders behind us. We'll keep building from here.”
Andrea Adamo: “What to say? I was really going for the podium this weekend. Normally I’m quite realistic, and I knew I had the speed, the good starts and the rhythm. Everything was clicking, but, unfortunately, I had a crash in the second corner of the second moto, and I was completely last. I got back to chase 6th place but then crashed again, so P10 and P6 overall. Not bad… but considering what could have been, I’m a bit disappointed. Again, I learnt something today; a stupid mistake in the second corner. Lommel now and I’m actually looking forward to it. It’s a tough track, but I feel I can do well there.”
Image: HRC
