In ten days’ time, Slovenia will take part in its very first Motocross of Nations on American soil. To mark the occasion, a press conference was held ahead of the event – in Slovenia – with the three riders who will will contest the MXoN for team Slovenia: Tim Gajser, Jan Pancar, and Jaka Pelkaj.
Tim Gajser has now confirmed that he will part ways with the Honda HRC structure led by Giacomo Gariboldi at the end of the 2025 season. Bound by contractual obligations, the Slovenian rider was not able to elaborate on his plans for next season. For those who have followed the Gajser saga this year, you will know he is expected to join Yamaha in 2026.
All good things come to an end. Alongside Giacomo Gariboldi, Tim Gajser has captured five world titles: one in MX2 and four in MXGP. The spearhead of the Gariboldi Racing Team, he was one of the cornerstones of the Italian outfit’s success – and vice versa – with the structure becoming Honda’s official factory team in 2017 thanks in large part to his results. In red for twelve seasons, Tim Gajser has lined up for 198 GPs with Honda, claiming 52 victories.
Still under contract with Honda HRC until December 31, 2025, Tim Gajser will not be in a position to reveal his 2026 plans anytime soon, much like Jeffrey Herlings.
“For now, I can’t say much about it. Why this change? Hard to explain, but it’s the decision we’ve made. In any case, I’m very motivated and really looking forward to next year,” explained Tim Gajser. “It will be emotional to leave them. I’ve been part of this team since my very first world championship season.”
For his final year on the factory Honda, Tim Gajser saw his title hopes vanish in Switzerland, despite having taken control of the championship in its early stages. A heavy crash in the second moto at Frauenfeld – colliding with an embankment on the edge of the track – left him with a shoulder injury. Gajser missed half the season before returning in Sweden with a 12th-place finish, followed by two fourth places in the Netherlands and Turkey. Runner-up at the Chinese GP and third in Australia (single moto), Tim Gajser closes the Honda HRC chapter with a podium in Darwin – his 125th career GP podium on a Honda.
Tim Gajser is therefore preparing for his final appearance on the factory Honda at the Motocross of Nations in Ironman. Next season, Giacomo Gariboldi is expected to field the Herlings and Vialle duo, while also retaining Fernandez and Lata.
