Vialle thriving in return to MXGP with Honda

A two-time FIM MX2 world champion, as well as a two-time 250SX East Division Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion, Tom Vialle has once again found his way back into the FIM Motocross World Championship. When the Honda HRC Petronas MXGP team came calling, the Frenchman eagerly signed up.

“When I found out Honda HRC were interested in signing me, I knew that I wasn’t going to get a better opportunity,” said Vialle. And so far, so good for the Honda CRF450R pilot. Five rounds in, Vialle is third in the point standings, the winner of the MXGP of Switzerland and a podium finisher in Argentina and Trentino, The next stop for the 25-year-old will be the MXGP of France, set for the Lacapelle-Marival circuit on May 24.

“We have five weeks off. After the last GP, I went on a break for a week in Florida. That was nice just to take one week away from the bike, you know? It’s a long season," he said.

Vialle currently trails Lucas Coenen and Honda HRC Petronas teammate Jeffrey Herlings in the standings. He's looking forward to his home race as a chance to close in on his title rivals.

“The French GP is one of the best of the series,” said Vialle. “We are pretty lucky in France. We have a lot of fans coming to the race every year. It’s actually been quite a while for me to be in a big race. The last time I raced that big of a race was probably the Motocross des Nations in 2023 in Ernee. It would be nice to be back and see all the fans that obviously I have not seen for the last three years. It’s a big race for me and hopefully ready to do good and hopefully we can be on the podium or fight for the win. That’s the goal.”

His professional career launched in the MXGP MX2 classification in 2019 and in a relatively short amount of time, Vialle has gleaned a terrific amount of racing knowledge from basically competing in a two front war between Europe and the USA.

“Yeah, it is weird in a way and good in a way,” explained Vialle of his around-the-world approach. “Three years in the USA is a long time and not a long time. I feel like it was pretty easy to get back used to racing in the GPs. That is really something that I was used to. I was a little bit surprised. I thought that maybe I needed some time to adapt again. No, from the first GP this year, I was really back into feeling the GP weekend. It’s a long weekend with both days riding and competing, but it has been good. The adaptation has been good. I was a little be scared of that. I also remember the tracks pretty good and that was nice to see.”

And in only his third GP with his new team Vialle won the MXGP of Switzerland at the sweeping Frauenfeld-Gachnang circuit.

“Yeah, it was excellent,” he enthused. “It was a little bit of a weird circumstance with Jeffrey Herlings and Lucas Coenen having bike issues, but that’s part of the race. I was good in both motos and it was actually nice to win my first overall MXGP race after only three races. It was really early in the season and I didn’t really expect to win a GP that early.

"I’m really happy with the team and the bike. Honda, I feel like it’s something special. I’ve been a KTM rider since day one and since my first GP. After everything I’ve done with them in the 250 class in Europe and back in the U.S., I didn’t feel like they were pushing for me in the 450 class. And getting those offers, especially the one from Honda, was excellent. I mean, I’ve seen Chase Sexton and Cooper Webb and everyone was struggling with the KTM in the 450 class. Especially in the whoops and stuff. I was really excited to try the Honda and the contract and everything was good. I signed that Honda deal because of the way the team is and the way the bike is. I know the Japanese are working really hard on this new bike that I’m riding. And yeah, I was really happy to move to the 450 class and I think with one of the best bikes right now. So that is what pushed me to sign with Honda.

“I mean, I was really happy with my 250 career,” explained Vialle. “I won four titles and I was really closing that chapter of my career and my goal was to have the best bike and the best team. I was trying to have the best setup to move to the 450 class. The 450 class is gnarly. There are a lot of good guys and you need that good stuff with you to make it happen. That was really my first goal. And Honda brought a long-term deal and they really push and they were really motivated to have me in the team, that’s why I signed with them. So far I’m pretty happy with the decision.

“With Honda, it is a lot different than KTM. Even with the way you have to ride the bike. The team and the way the team is working is also a lot different. This is something really new and I think I’m the one who can really talk about Europe and the U.S. With KTM I have seen both sides. The way Honda is working and testing and all that stuff is a lot different than what I was used to with KTM. Yeah, we have a lot of options. We are racing the prototype 2027 Honda. We have testing and making the bike better. Every other month we are trying to have some updates and to make the bike better. So far it has been good.”

As the 2025 250SX East Division Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion, does Vialle feel the fierce and ultra-competitive nature of supercross has been advantageous to his MXGP move?

“I think so,” replied the Frenchman. “I think the supercross and the training has been helpful, especially in the motos and in timed practice. A lot of small things since I have been back to MXGP are a little bit better. So yeah, I believe supercross is a big help and that’s why I will continue racing supercross this winter.

"So yeah, I’m pretty excited and I want to keep that in my program. I think training in supercross is a big help for outdoors. I think a lot of people forget that this is my first year in the 450 class, so I need time to adapt to the bike. It’s not easy, you know? All those guys –Jeffrey Herlings, Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre – they have been there in the class for years and years and I’m trying to fight with them and be up there with them.”

Being teammates again with Herlings in the 2026 MXGP division is also a positive for Vialle.

“I mean, with Jeffrey we always had a good relationship,” he said. “We were teammates for four years when I was in Europe. We are pretty good with each other. We train sometimes together. Also for me, having Jeffrey is probably the best teammate you can have to learn from. I can see what he does and why he is so good. I’m trying to learn every weekend and see what he does and hopefully that can help me for my future.

For all his success, at 25 years in age, Vialle is young for MXGP, which also positions him well.

“I feel like in the last couple of years [riders] are getting good at 32 or 33 years old. So if you see it like that, yeah, I have many years ahead of me," he said. "I’m trying to get better every week.”