MXGP Rumours/Silly season

DeStouwer
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3449
Joined
2/17/2015
Location
BE
10/20/2025 1:02am
J-Wishbone wrote:

where is Watson going in 26?

Both Beta seats seem to be taken now

DeStouwer wrote:

Private Honda setup.

In the interest of keeping this thread factual, this is false. 

There was never even discussions with a Honda team...

Okay thanks, that was just what I've heard.

10/20/2025 3:03am
J-Wishbone wrote:

where is Watson going in 26?

Both Beta seats seem to be taken now

DeStouwer wrote:

Private Honda setup.

In the interest of keeping this thread factual, this is false. 

There was never even discussions with a Honda team...

Lewis, when will we hear about any news on Watsons future? Keen to keep the Watson wagon rolling 

1
MitchMX
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NL
10/20/2025 3:25am
joelsmx wrote:

Watson out at Beta and Elzinga signed and a more experienced rider to be signed. Forato maybe? 

Forato rumoured to be on his way to become the teammate of Van Doninck at Fantic...

1
1
BV878
Posts
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Location
Bruges BE
10/20/2025 4:29am
Motofinne wrote:

I agree. The situation is dire.

I think this misses the point. The primary reason Bogers has trouble finding a ride is because Europe pushes their riders into the 450 class. America...

I think this misses the point. The primary reason Bogers has trouble finding a ride is because Europe pushes their riders into the 450 class. America allows riders to stay almost indefinitely in the 250 class and there is consequently more room in the 450s. 

 

Here's a short list of SOME of the riders who couldn't race 250s in 2026 if the age rule were effective in America: Shimoda, Hammaker, Kitchen, McAdoo, Smith,  Harrup, Vialle (the last 3 years), Forkner, Thrasher, Brown, Mosiman and Anstie.  I know  there's more. They'd all have to be in the 450 class. Guess what? A lot of guys running 11-20 now in th  450 class would be pushed out. I'm not advocating for an age rule. I'm simply saying you can't compare these situations as if they're apples to apples. 

 

Bogers ran most of the year 12-15. With De Wolf, Adamo and Benistant coming in that probably tipped the scale. I was lucky enough to see him win at Lommel. It was awesome. I hope he finds a nice ADAC ride and continues his career if that's what he wants. 

rym wrote:
Well the age rule does create issues. But to be honest imo the situation in mx2 is even worse in regard to available rides. There are simply way...

Well the age rule does create issues. 

But to be honest imo the situation in mx2 is even worse in regard to available rides. 

There are simply way to few decent rides

Offcourse the age rule creates this. If you would implement the exact same rule in AMA MX/SX the following riders would have been riding 450's this year (2025) based on their age:
- McAdoo
- Forkner
- Smith
- Hammaker
- Anstie
- Vialle
- Mosiman
- Kitchen
- Shock
- Marchbanks
- Masterpool
- Swoll

And who would have to move up in 2026:
- Shimoda
- Vohland
- Thrasher

That's  where i think the difference in level between the two 250 series (MX2 - AMA 250's) comes from: average experience...
 

8

The Shop

10/20/2025 4:37am

Lewis, when will we hear about any news on Watsons future? Keen to keep the Watson wagon rolling 

Triumph in UK, maybe ?

2
Cortami79
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10/20/2025 5:17am

Maybe a bit off topic, but this is quite a nice interview about the championship in Brasil, seems like there is money there for the riders. Older GP guys and French Elite riders. I like Gatedrop nowadays, lots of interviews

Interview: Greg Aranda discusses racing in Brazil and much more – GateDrop.com

6
10/20/2025 5:29am
Cortami79 wrote:
Maybe a bit off topic, but this is quite a nice interview about the championship in Brasil, seems like there is money there for the riders...

Maybe a bit off topic, but this is quite a nice interview about the championship in Brasil, seems like there is money there for the riders. Older GP guys and French Elite riders. I like Gatedrop nowadays, lots of interviews

Interview: Greg Aranda discusses racing in Brazil and much more – GateDrop.com

Kevin Frelaud (dailymotocross.fr) made this interview. Very interesting one!

1
philG
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Location
GB
10/20/2025 5:46am
Cortami79 wrote:
Maybe a bit off topic, but this is quite a nice interview about the championship in Brasil, seems like there is money there for the riders...

Maybe a bit off topic, but this is quite a nice interview about the championship in Brasil, seems like there is money there for the riders. Older GP guys and French Elite riders. I like Gatedrop nowadays, lots of interviews

Interview: Greg Aranda discusses racing in Brazil and much more – GateDrop.com

Kevin Frelaud (dailymotocross.fr) made this interview. Very interesting one!

Yes, a lot of GateDrop stuff is aggregated from other sites. 

Motofinne
Posts
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Location
FI
10/20/2025 5:48am

Lewis, when will we hear about any news on Watsons future? Keen to keep the Watson wagon rolling 

Triumph in UK, maybe ?

I would hope the Factory team and the full calendar. It's a step back if it's the British team and not the full calendar.

1
10/20/2025 5:59am
Motofinne wrote:

I would hope the Factory team and the full calendar. It's a step back if it's the British team and not the full calendar.

No factory effort for Triumph in MXGP category next year.

2
Snapper
Posts
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Location
GB
10/20/2025 6:53am
Cortami79 wrote:
Maybe a bit off topic, but this is quite a nice interview about the championship in Brasil, seems like there is money there for the riders...

Maybe a bit off topic, but this is quite a nice interview about the championship in Brasil, seems like there is money there for the riders. Older GP guys and French Elite riders. I like Gatedrop nowadays, lots of interviews

Interview: Greg Aranda discusses racing in Brazil and much more – GateDrop.com

Kevin Frelaud (dailymotocross.fr) made this interview. Very interesting one!

philG wrote:

Yes, a lot of GateDrop stuff is aggregated from other sites. 

They credit Kevin at the top.

1
10/20/2025 7:07am
DeStouwer wrote:

Private Honda setup.

In the interest of keeping this thread factual, this is false. 

There was never even discussions with a Honda team...

DeStouwer wrote:

Okay thanks, that was just what I've heard.

Yeah, no worries! I should stay out of this thread to avoid downvotes, anyway 😂

5
10/20/2025 7:07am
DeStouwer wrote:

Private Honda setup.

In the interest of keeping this thread factual, this is false. 

There was never even discussions with a Honda team...

Lewis, when will we hear about any news on Watsons future? Keen to keep the Watson wagon rolling 

Working on it. It was originally going to be January 1st, but it'll certainly be much sooner now.

2
10/20/2025 9:02am Edited Date/Time 10/20/2025 9:06am

Lewis, when will we hear about any news on Watsons future? Keen to keep the Watson wagon rolling 

M. "there is no media in Europe" doesn't wanna say it because he's sooo close with everybody. So Ben Watson will race in GB for Dirt Store Triumph in MX1 class, and race selected MXGP rounds - Euro ones. XO XO

1
3
10/20/2025 9:14am

Lewis, when will we hear about any news on Watsons future? Keen to keep the Watson wagon rolling 

spojetski wrote:
M. "there is no media in Europe" doesn't wanna say it because he's sooo close with everybody. So Ben Watson will race in GB for Dirt...

M. "there is no media in Europe" doesn't wanna say it because he's sooo close with everybody. So Ben Watson will race in GB for Dirt Store Triumph in MX1 class, and race selected MXGP rounds - Euro ones. XO XO

There is no contract done with anyone... Why would I come in here and say something that isn't finalized?

Like I've said 100 times, when I present a 'rumor' it's because I know it's fact and I'm not 'fake news' on it.

I don't know a fact here...

6
5
themrtoad
Posts
1237
Joined
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Location
SE
10/20/2025 11:42am
MXMattii wrote:
No Geerts isn't from rich background. His father has been a Grand Prix mechanic for Marnicq Bervoets and don't know what his mom's occupation is. Sending...

No Geerts isn't from rich background. His father has been a Grand Prix mechanic for Marnicq Bervoets and don't know what his mom's occupation is. Sending him to Monaco to safe 60% taxes on his 550k to 650k salary doesn't sound like a bad move, but the kid has autism spectrum disorder and didn't lived on his own till then (if I'm correct). If you lay his bad results, difficult rehabs after injuries beside each other and everything stared when he moved to Monaco... With the pay cut he is going to take, it is likely that he returns or is already returned to Belgium.

Van Doninck tested the Beta and called it under powered and will make the switch together with JM to Fantic. Dunno how good those bikes will be with Fantic and the JM budget together. About Beta, the bikes are indeed under powered but let me remind everyone that Van Horebeek rode that bike and he only does things when he gets paid decent bucks (from MXGP to Beach races to Brazilian MX). Also the first Watson contract was around 150k, if they are still swinging in that ballpark it is a good move financially after two bad years.

Thanks for info 👍

10/20/2025 6:28pm
I think this misses the point. The primary reason Bogers has trouble finding a ride is because Europe pushes their riders into the 450 class. America...

I think this misses the point. The primary reason Bogers has trouble finding a ride is because Europe pushes their riders into the 450 class. America allows riders to stay almost indefinitely in the 250 class and there is consequently more room in the 450s. 

 

Here's a short list of SOME of the riders who couldn't race 250s in 2026 if the age rule were effective in America: Shimoda, Hammaker, Kitchen, McAdoo, Smith,  Harrup, Vialle (the last 3 years), Forkner, Thrasher, Brown, Mosiman and Anstie.  I know  there's more. They'd all have to be in the 450 class. Guess what? A lot of guys running 11-20 now in th  450 class would be pushed out. I'm not advocating for an age rule. I'm simply saying you can't compare these situations as if they're apples to apples. 

 

Bogers ran most of the year 12-15. With De Wolf, Adamo and Benistant coming in that probably tipped the scale. I was lucky enough to see him win at Lommel. It was awesome. I hope he finds a nice ADAC ride and continues his career if that's what he wants. 

rym wrote:
Well the age rule does create issues. But to be honest imo the situation in mx2 is even worse in regard to available rides. There are simply way...

Well the age rule does create issues. 

But to be honest imo the situation in mx2 is even worse in regard to available rides. 

There are simply way to few decent rides

BV878 wrote:
Offcourse the age rule creates this. If you would implement the exact same rule in AMA MX/SX the following riders would have been riding 450's this...

Offcourse the age rule creates this. If you would implement the exact same rule in AMA MX/SX the following riders would have been riding 450's this year (2025) based on their age:
- McAdoo
- Forkner
- Smith
- Hammaker
- Anstie
- Vialle
- Mosiman
- Kitchen
- Shock
- Marchbanks
- Masterpool
- Swoll

And who would have to move up in 2026:
- Shimoda
- Vohland
- Thrasher

That's  where i think the difference in level between the two 250 series (MX2 - AMA 250's) comes from: average experience...
 

I agree. And yet somehow Harrup comes here and finishes 7th after finishing 6th in MX2 the year before. Go figure. 

10/20/2025 11:53pm

Lewis, when will we hear about any news on Watsons future? Keen to keep the Watson wagon rolling 

spojetski wrote:
M. "there is no media in Europe" doesn't wanna say it because he's sooo close with everybody. So Ben Watson will race in GB for Dirt...

M. "there is no media in Europe" doesn't wanna say it because he's sooo close with everybody. So Ben Watson will race in GB for Dirt Store Triumph in MX1 class, and race selected MXGP rounds - Euro ones. XO XO

There is no contract done with anyone... Why would I come in here and say something that isn't finalized?Like I've said 100 times, when I present...

There is no contract done with anyone... Why would I come in here and say something that isn't finalized?

Like I've said 100 times, when I present a 'rumor' it's because I know it's fact and I'm not 'fake news' on it.

I don't know a fact here...

A source involved with sponsorship told me hes joining Tommy Searle at Triumph  for the British Champs and a few GPs

3
10/21/2025 1:30am
spojetski wrote:
M. "there is no media in Europe" doesn't wanna say it because he's sooo close with everybody. So Ben Watson will race in GB for Dirt...

M. "there is no media in Europe" doesn't wanna say it because he's sooo close with everybody. So Ben Watson will race in GB for Dirt Store Triumph in MX1 class, and race selected MXGP rounds - Euro ones. XO XO

There is no contract done with anyone... Why would I come in here and say something that isn't finalized?Like I've said 100 times, when I present...

There is no contract done with anyone... Why would I come in here and say something that isn't finalized?

Like I've said 100 times, when I present a 'rumor' it's because I know it's fact and I'm not 'fake news' on it.

I don't know a fact here...

J-Wishbone wrote:

A source involved with sponsorship told me hes joining Tommy Searle at Triumph  for the British Champs and a few GPs

Makes sense as Joel Rizzi is out at that team.

2
rym
Posts
457
Joined
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Location
Milan, MI IT
10/21/2025 4:31am

With Bruce moving to mx1 will there be any Brits doing mx2 gps? 

Snapper
Posts
1026
Joined
8/28/2009
Location
GB
10/21/2025 6:14am
rym wrote:

With Bruce moving to mx1 will there be any Brits doing mx2 gps? 

I can't see that happening for quite some time, unfortunately. 

-MAVERICK-
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65242
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Location
Ontario CA
10/21/2025 8:27am

Translated article:

https://mx-lierneux.be/le-mxgp-a-lierneux-en-2027/ 

MXGP in Lierneux in 2027?

Lierneux Takes Flight: André Mathieu Launches Project for an MXGP Round in 2027

Recently, André Mathieu, General Manager of the MX Lierneux circuit, officially announced an ambitious project to host a round of the Motocross World Championship (MXGP) in 2027. This project could mark a new era for motocross in Belgium, transforming Lierneux into a truly international destination for fans of the discipline.

The Lierneux MX circuit is already renowned for its technical features and beautiful setting, but the addition of an MXGP round could propel the region into the global spotlight. André Mathieu said: “We have the opportunity to make Lierneux a must-see for motocross enthusiasts. This project is not only a sporting ambition, but also a way to promote our region.”

A Project Under Study

Under the leadership of André Mathieu, the team is working closely with local authorities to ensure all necessary requirements are met. Investments in circuit infrastructure and surrounding services are also planned to ensure a memorable experience for the riders and spectators.

Positive Repercussions for the Region

Hosting an MXGP round could generate significant economic benefits for Lierneux, attracting thousands of spectators and international media. André Mathieu emphasizes the importance of local engagement: “We need the support of the community to make this event a reality. Every contribution and every voice is essential.”

Conclusion

With André Mathieu's vision and determination, the MX Lierneux circuit could become a gathering place for motocross enthusiasts from around the world by 2027. This project promises to put Lierneux on the international motocross map and create a lasting impact for the region.

For more information about the project or to support this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact us.

1
philG
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10852
Joined
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Location
GB
10/21/2025 12:30pm

Herlings officially announced at Hawkstone International, on Feb 15th.. 

Febvre was there last year , and we have seen Yamaha guys there in the past, so we might get a Herlings/Febvre/Gajser battle before the season even starts. 

And we have seen De Wulf there as well. 

Already excited. 

9
10/22/2025 1:33am
philG wrote:
Herlings officially announced at Hawkstone International, on Feb 15th.. Febvre was there last year , and we have seen Yamaha guys there in the past, so we...

Herlings officially announced at Hawkstone International, on Feb 15th.. 

Febvre was there last year , and we have seen Yamaha guys there in the past, so we might get a Herlings/Febvre/Gajser battle before the season even starts. 

And we have seen De Wulf there as well. 

Already excited. 

Herlings debut on the Honda with Fox gear too,will be strange to see

Vialle will also debut the Honda there too will be my guess

MitchMX
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164
Joined
8/15/2018
Location
NL
10/22/2025 1:51am
KTM van Venrooy Racing
Mattia Guadagnini* (MXGP)
Noel Zanocz* MX2 (already tested the bike last week)
Aron Katona* EMX250
6
themrtoad
Posts
1237
Joined
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Location
SE
10/22/2025 2:04am
MitchMX wrote:
KTM van Venrooy Racing
Mattia Guadagnini* (MXGP)
Noel Zanocz* MX2 (already tested the bike last week)
Aron Katona* EMX250

Exciting trio of young talents

Snapper
Posts
1026
Joined
8/28/2009
Location
GB
10/22/2025 2:27am
philG wrote:
Herlings officially announced at Hawkstone International, on Feb 15th.. Febvre was there last year , and we have seen Yamaha guys there in the past, so we...

Herlings officially announced at Hawkstone International, on Feb 15th.. 

Febvre was there last year , and we have seen Yamaha guys there in the past, so we might get a Herlings/Febvre/Gajser battle before the season even starts. 

And we have seen De Wulf there as well. 

Already excited. 

Usually when Herlings races Hawkstone, there isn't much budget for other riders on his level to attend. So the battle you expect to see is quite unlikely...

mxxxeR1
Posts
475
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4/25/2022
Location
NL
10/22/2025 6:15am
MitchMX wrote:
KTM van Venrooy Racing
Mattia Guadagnini* (MXGP)
Noel Zanocz* MX2 (already tested the bike last week)
Aron Katona* EMX250
themrtoad wrote:

Exciting trio of young talents

it's a shame that a Dutch team doesn't help a Dutch rider....

2
10/22/2025 6:31am
MitchMX wrote:
KTM van Venrooy Racing
Mattia Guadagnini* (MXGP)
Noel Zanocz* MX2 (already tested the bike last week)
Aron Katona* EMX250
themrtoad wrote:

Exciting trio of young talents

mxxxeR1 wrote:

it's a shame that a Dutch team doesn't help a Dutch rider....

They don’t really decide themselves, KTM does that. The new Motivation - Nestaan structure in EMX250 will field both Gregoire and Heitink!

Snapper
Posts
1026
Joined
8/28/2009
Location
GB
10/22/2025 6:33am
MitchMX wrote:
KTM van Venrooy Racing
Mattia Guadagnini* (MXGP)
Noel Zanocz* MX2 (already tested the bike last week)
Aron Katona* EMX250

If this is true, who will race the Ducati with Seewer as it sounds like Renaux stays at Yamaha...

1

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