After 16 years together, the split brings to a close a relationship that has shaped not only Herlings’ career, but an entire era of Grand Prix motocross.
A partnership that defined a generation
Herlings joined KTM as a teenager back in 2009, making his Grand Prix debut the following year. What followed was a rise few riders in the sport’s history can match. From the MX2 class to the premier MXGP category, the Dutchman built a reputation for raw speed, relentless intensity, and near-unmatched dominance in the sand.
During his time with KTM, Herlings achieved:
- itemFive FIM World Championships (MX2 and MXGP)
- itemOver 100 Grand Prix victories
A reputation as one of the fastest riders the sport has ever seen
Through highs, injuries, comebacks and title fights, KTM remained the constant. Orange machinery and Herlings became inseparable in the eyes of fans around the world.
Why now?
The decision to part ways comes at the conclusion of Herlings’ KTM contract at the end of 2025. While neither side has framed the split as dramatic, it marks a natural closing point after more than a decade and a half of shared success.
Both rider and team have spoken positively about the journey, with KTM thanking Herlings for his contribution to the brand’s racing legacy, and Herlings acknowledging the role the team played in shaping his career from a young prospect into a multiple-time world champion.
A new challenge ahead
Rather than stepping away from competition, Herlings is set to begin a fresh chapter in MXGP, lining up with Honda HRC from the 2026 season onwards.
It will be the first time in his professional career that Herlings competes in MXGP machinery outside of the KTM group, adding a major talking point to an already competitive championship landscape.
What it means for MXGP
For fans, the move adds intrigue to the 2026 season. Seeing one of the sport’s most successful riders adapt to new colours, a new bike and a new team dynamic is rare at this stage of a career — and it raises plenty of questions about how the competitive order may shift.
For KTM, it closes a historic chapter while opening the door for the next generation of talent to step into a leadership role within the team.
End of an era, not the end of the story
The Herlings–KTM partnership will go down as one of the most successful in motocross history. While the sight of Herlings on anything other than orange will take some getting used to, the next chapter promises to be just as compelling.
One era ends — but for Jeffrey Herlings and MXGP, the story is far from over.