After weeks of speculation, it’s now official – Tom Vialle will return to Europe in 2026 to contest the MXGP World Championship with the factory HRC Honda team. The two-time MX2 World Champion and double AMA Supercross title winner will make the move back across the Atlantic to join one of the most successful teams in modern motocross.
We caught up with HRC Honda team owner, Giacomo Gariboldi, to discuss how the deal came together, what impressed him most about Vialle, and why he believes the Frenchman is the perfect fit for the CRF450. Gariboldi also shares insight into the team’s next chapter as they prepare for an exciting new era in 2026.
GateDrop: Giacomo, the news has just dropped, and Tom Vialle has officially joined your team. What was it about Tom Vialle that convinced you he was the right rider for HRC Honda in 2026?
Gariboldi: Yes, and we are delighted about Tom joining our Team. The choice was easy, he is a multiple champion over here in Europe and also twice in USA. It’s something very few riders in history could achieve. In addition Tom is a very high professional athlete, dedicated to the sport and a very nice person, he ticked all the box to be an HRC rider.
GateDrop: When did the discussions with Tom first begin, and how did the deal come together?
Gariboldi: We started talking during the summer when normally all the decisions about riders are made and it didn’t took long to find an agreement with him. He was very keen to race on our CRF450 and we were very much looking forward to working with a rider of his calibre.
GateDrop: Tom has just made his Honda HRC debut in Paris, how would you describe his debut and what was he like to work with during the weekend?
Gariboldi: It was a very good debut for Tom as every time he was hitting the track he was improving his riding and his lap times. All weekend he has been very close to Cooper Webb lap times which is very encouraging as he has just a few hours of training on his new bike while all the other riders have been riding this class already many seasons. In the Sunday final race he took the holeshot and was leading for a few laps which was amazing.
We had a great feeling working together with him all the weekend, he is such a professional rider and very focused on what he is doing, I believe we will enjoy very much working with him during the GP’s weekends. A quick note also on the family around him, they are all adorable people and I understand now why Tom has been so successful in his career!
GateDrop: Did you follow his progress in the U.S. closely, and were you surprised by how quickly he adapted to Supercross?
Gariboldi: I always followed him racing in the US and pleasantly surprised to see him winning not one but two championships over there. It was a great achievement in a very short time.
GateDrop: Despite not having any Supercross experience before going to America, Vialle ended up a two-time SX champion in U.S. Very impressive, right?
Gariboldi: Absolutely, this shows you how quick he can adapt to the new racing and new environment and his quality as a rider. As I said before, many tried to go racing over there but just very few succeeded in winning.
GateDrop: It didn’t quite work out for Vialle in the AMA Pro Motocross series in terms of winning a title, but he was still a front runner. I feel like his style suits the slower more technical tracks that Europe has to offer – of course AMA tracks still get rough, but you have to be on the throttle more – would you agree?
Gariboldi: In the AMA Pro Motocross he finished vice champion so very close to winning also in outdoor, I don’t think he couldn’t adapt to the faster tracks because I saw a couple of passes this year Tom made at very very high speed and was really impressive. He just found on his way the new rising American star Deegan who was very hard to beat and that’s it.
GateDrop: With Tom’s smooth and technical riding style, he should be a perfect match for the 450cc, do you agree?
Gariboldi: From what I’ve seen in his first laps on the CRF450W he adapted very quickly to the bike. He is the perfect match for our bike and for our team.
GateDrop: What qualities do you think Tom will bring to the team – both on and off the bike?
Gariboldi: Tom is a very professional person and he is very kind, from the first tests on the bike he gave us always the perfect advices to set the bike like he wanted, he understands a lot the changes and he will be a huge plus for our R&D Japanese team who needs plenty of information to improve the new bike.
GateDrop: What are your expectations for Tom in his first season back in the MXGP paddock which will be his rookie MXGP season?
Gariboldi: We don’t want to put a lot of pressure on him, Tom is a multiple champion, he knows how to plan his season and the results he wants to achieve. When I first talked to him he said, “Giacomo, if I come back to Europe it’s because I come back to win a title in MXGP!” and this says a lot about his motivation and we will give him the time he needs to achieve his goal.
GateDrop: Can you confirm how many years Tom has signed for?
Gariboldi: I can’t tell you the terms of the contract but I can assure you that Tom has a multiple years contract which will ensure him a bright future in HRC.
GateDrop: Starts are very important in MXGP – we know Vialle is a great starter and your bike is fast out of the gate – it should be a good match?
Gariboldi: I tell you something, in the first tests we made on the CRF450W he practiced a lot on the starts and at every start on our factory bike he was like a blade in the butter. He is so precise and so fast, we were impressed. Never a mistake, perfect position on the saddle and perfect use of the throttle, I believe we’ll see some holeshots next year.
GateDrop: Do you know yet who Vialle’s mechanic and practice mechanic will be and if so, who?
Gariboldi: Yes of course, at the GP’s he will be working with the French mechanic Nicolas Blanpied who was with Valerio Lata this season and was working with me in the WSX project when it started. He is a very good guy, I like him very much and it’s the perfect match for Tom being both Frenchies. For the training he is working with the Spanish mechanic Mario Martinez, former training mechanic of Ruben Fernandez last season, another one of my favourite guys and I believe Tom with these two has a great team around him.
GateDrop: I believe Massimo Castelli who has been the engine guy at HRC Honda for many years and has done a great job will be moving on. Can you confirm this and if so, have you got a replacement?
Gariboldi: I can confirm that Massimo Castelli has ended his cooperation with the team after 20 years, he was one of the engine builders we have at HRC, and we have now replaced him with a young and motivated engine builder which will give us a long-term perspective and will guarantee the same level of skill. People change and the team remains – it’s a normal process over the years.
