Rider Reflections: 2026 MXGP of Sweden

Read what a host of MXGP riders had to say about their weekend at the 2026 MXGP of Sweden.

MXGP

Jeffrey Herlings: "I am very happy to win every session, every race and to just keep this momentum going at what was a difficult track. My starts definitely helped this weekend, being right up there on a track that isn’t easy to pass on. Even in the last moto, I was able to recover and get into the top three after a bad jump, and I made a couple of quick passes to get into the lead. We’ve worked really hard this year, and I think these results show that myself, and the bike and the whole team are in a really good place."

Romain Febvre: "I had good speed all weekend, but I touched with another rider in the first turn of moto one, and that spoilt my start; I was just behind Adamo all race, but I couldn't find any spot to pass until two laps to go. I was pleased when I almost holeshot race two and could take the lead, but I was riding a little too careful on the first lap, and Jeffrey could pass me. Tim was on my rear wheel in the first few laps, but I could build a gap over him, and I tried to stay with Jeffrey; I could ride my own pace and was only a few seconds behind him when they showed the red flag."

Tom Vialle: "We did some changes after yesterday, and that really improved the way I could ride in both the races. The first race was a little bit frustrating because I just couldn’t pass the rider in second place, but still, third is a good result. Then in race two I got the holeshot but ran a little wide and let some guys through. I had to pass some people and got back into fourth place, which was good for the podium. I feel like I'm back to good fitness and on the bike as well, so I hope I can keep this going until the end of the championship."

Pauls Jonass: "I have to be satisfied with my first moto today; it was good to show after my injury that I still believe in my ability to race at the front. I don't feel I used too much energy in that first race - it's actually easier to race second than when you are battling for seventh - but I just didn't have the intensity in my riding in the second moto. I was just too cautious; I started riding too carefully, and when you're not pushing on a track like this, the bike starts to find every bump and is kicking everywhere. Still, fourth overall is my best result of the season. It was a pity that the crash in Foxhills came when it did as I felt really strong going there; I'm obviously not back to that level again yet and I need to be careful not to overdo things in training but I am looking forward with confidence to continue this improvement in the next races."

Tim Gajser: “Tough day again. In the first moto I didn’t have the best start, but I pushed from the beginning. It was so difficult to pass, and I just wanted a little too much early on. I made a couple of mistakes and then crashed, which cost me a lot of positions. I then caught the guys in front of me but it was just difficult to make any passes. In the second moto, I had a better start and my riding was decent, although I made a few mistakes again. But I was there with the front guys. It was another difficult weekend because I want to be at the front, and on a track like we had today, I feel like the start was probably 70% of the race. I messed up a little bit with my crash in race one, but I want to say a huge thank you to the team for working hard and never stopping trying to improve. We go again next weekend.”

Ruben Fernandez: "A good weekend with some tough racing. My starts didn’t allow me to challenge with the podium guys, but I feel like my riding was really good for the rest of the motos. I fought through the pack in race one and then in race two I made a couple of passes and hard to withstand a lot of pressure, so I’m happy with the riding. On another day I could easily have snuck onto the podium but the standard is really high right now and if I want to join those guys I need to start with them."

Image: KTM