When Cornelius Tøndel would normally be deep into preparations for another assault on the MXGP World Championship, 2026 has brought a very different challenge. The talented Norwegian has traded familiar European circuits for the bright lights and vast stadiums of the United States, signing with ISRT to begin a new chapter racing in America.
Although an early injury delayed his original plan to contest the full AMA Supercross season, Tøndel is now back on the bike, settling into a new environment, a new team and a new machine — and embracing one of the biggest transitions of his career.
Adapting to the Kawasaki
One of the first challenges was switching machinery. After racing with Honda equipment in Europe last year, Tøndel is now learning the characteristics of a Kawasaki — a transition he says has been smoother than expected.
“About the Kawasaki, it’s my first time on it, but to be honest the transition went really fast. I don’t find it so different from the Honda, and I can adapt pretty easy from different brands, so it’s not really been a problem for me. ISRT has been working really hard with me to make me comfortable. If there are any changes I would like to make, then I will make that with the team, and they are getting me comfortable as good as they can – then I have to do some adapting. Of course, it is a new bike, it is a lot of things to learn, but I find that the transition has been going very well so far”.
A Different World
Tøndel has not rushed back into racing following his injury. Instead, he has concentrated on outdoor riding and acclimatising to life in America — something he admits has been an eye-opening experience. Once he gets more comfortable and up to speed — he’ll then hit the Supercross tracks.
“As far as Supercross goes, after my injury I have not really been focusing so much on that yet. I’ve just been riding outdoors and getting to know the bike, getting to know the team, the climate, the food. Everything is completely different from Europe so it’s a big, big learning process and I’m not really sure when my first Supercross race will be. I just want to get comfortable now, make sure that I feel good, when the time is right and I agree with the team that I look good, I feel good and riding is going well, we will return to racing. Like I said, I don’t know when that will be, but I hope I will do some Supercross races this year”.
A Learning Year in Supercross
With the depth of talent in the 450cc Supercross class, Tøndel is realistic about the level he is stepping into. Rather than setting firm targets, he is embracing 2026 as an opportunity to grow.
“As far as expectations go, I don’t really have any in Supercross, it’s a learning year, it’s my first year ever and I’m competing against basically a full main event of 250 Supercross champions, either west or east coast, so it’s crazy to watch. The level is super high and to get into that main event you have to be really fast so we will see. This first coming year in Supercross is all a learning year for me, I’m just looking forward to getting started with it”.
The Daytona Experience
Even from the sidelines, the scale of American racing has left a lasting impression. Attending the legendary Daytona round gave Tøndel a taste of just how big the sport is in America.
“I was at Daytona and it was just an incredible experience, everything is so massive, you don’t believe the size of that stadium – it’s not even a stadium, it’s Daytona Speedway. It’s so huge, the track was just a small part in front of the tribune and the rest of the parking and all the RVs, parking, garages, everything was there in the middle of the track. It’s just incredible to see how big everything is and just to be there was amazing, although it did hurt a bit to watch Daytona, I think it’s a race I could do really well at and especially with the rain that came Friday. I think it would suit me very well so for sure it was a little bit painful watching that, like last week in Dallas I watched as well and that was just as incredible to watch. It is something completely new for me and I don’t know if it will suit me yet because I didn’t really do it. But watching Daytona is just something I think that would suit me well, it’s like a mix of Supercross and Motocross. It would be really nice to do it, but I hope next year I can be there and I’m looking forward to it”.
Learning from Experience
Being with the IRST means that Tøndel will have the experienced Vince Friese as a team mate. Despite not being able to ride with him yet – the Norwegian has still been picking things up from him.
“With Vince (Friese), he is a super nice guy. I’ve been with him now two race weekends in Texas and in Daytona. I have already, without training with him or racing with him, I’ve learned so much from him, just being around and seeing how he does things and just seeing how he prepares mentally and how he approaches racing. He’s very relaxed, a very nice guy and he has been very welcoming. He has been really open about everything, telling me how everything goes and how he does everything, how he likes to approach stuff and he’s been super nice so far. I’m sure we will in the near future go practice together, but at the moment he is in California and I’m in Georgia, so we are on opposite sides, but we will go to the team facility in probably a month or so and then we will start training there together and I’m sure we will do a lot of laps together, pushing each other. I have a lot to learn from that guy, he’s been racing for now almost 20 years. On Friday night in the Airbnb before the race at the weekend, we were watching 2009 St. Louis Supercross in the 250 class – he took the holeshot and he was leading in front of Rattray and all those guys. I was just thinking, at that time I was six years old when he did that race and he’s been racing since. It’s incredible what he has done and he’s an incredibly nice guy, I must say, off the bike, he’s so nice, so I can’t wait to keep learning from him and work with him. I’m just looking forward to it”.
For Tøndel, 2026 is less about immediate results and more about adaptation, growth and laying foundations. From mastering a new bike to embracing a completely different racing culture, every day in America presents another lesson. While his Supercross debut remains on hold for now, his determination and measured approach suggest that when the gate finally drops, he will be ready.
One thing is certain: the Norwegian’s American adventure is only just beginning — and he is fully aware that, in his own words, “Everything is completely different from Europe”.
