Norwegian talent Cornelius Tøndel is set to make his long-awaited American debut this summer, as he prepares to contest three rounds of the prestigious AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The 22-year-old, who signed with the JWR Honda team for the 2025 season, will line up at Southwick, RedBud, and Spring Creek in an opportunity for him to race in America.
“I signed with JWR Honda and I got this amazing opportunity with them to go over to the US and do three AMA nationals,” Tøndel told GateDrop.com. “We have decided to do the rounds in Southwick, RedBud and Spring Creek, which is three weeks in a row – the last weekend of June and two first weeks of July. For me, it’s really a dream come true, I’m super excited to get over there.”
Tøndel has been a consistent contender on the European scene contesting in the MXGP World Championship, but a trip across the Atlantic has always been part of his long-term ambition. Now, that dream is becoming a reality.
“It’s been something that I’ve been looking at ever since I was a kid to go to America and race. It’s a great opportunity for me to show what I can do. I think just being able to go there and do those three AMA nationals is something really exciting and something I’m looking forward to.”
The JWR Honda squad has partnered with Honda US to ensure the trip goes as smoothly as possible, with critical support from the American side helping make the project viable.
“We’re working together with Honda US for this trip to make everything happen and they will lend us bikes. It is just great to have some support from them otherwise we would have a way tougher time to get over there and do those races. I am just super excited for it.”
Even though the level of competition in the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship is already proving incredibly high, Tøndel is realistic but optimistic about his goals – he wants to run in the top ten.
“I hope to be able to get some top 10 finishes. I think that will be my goal – to be able to get inside that top 10. You can see at the first couple rounds now, it’s a really tough competition. I think there’s not a lot of guys injured at the moment so there is a super high level. I think when I’m feeling good and I get good starts, I’m able to be around that top 10 and run there with those guys. That’s kind of the goal for me and also the goal for the team – to be up there in the top 10.”
Tøndel’s trip to the U.S. will not only serve as a career highlight but also give him the opportunity of racing new tracks and different competition. With solid support from JWR Honda and Honda US, the stage is set for the young Norwegian to turn heads this summer before he’ll be back contesting the rest of the MXGP World Championship.
