Honda HRC has bolstered its roster even further for the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship, building on last year’s impressive trio of Tim Gajser (MXGP), Ruben Fernandez (MXGP), and Ferruccio Zanchi (MX2). The addition of Valerio Lata (MX2) to the team in November promises even more strength, with two riders aboard the Honda CRF450R and two on the CRF250R. This well-rounded lineup has generated plenty of excitement within the team, as they prepare for what could be a highly successful season.
Of course, that shouldn’t come as a surprise when you consider the accolades of five-time world champion Gajser, who narrowly missed out on his sixth title at the final round of 2024. Despite that disappointment, he was able to rebound quickly and put in an incredible performance at the Motocross of Nations in Matterley Basin, going one-one and quickly reminding everyone that he’ll be the man to beat this coming season.
Fernandez is in a different situation, given how he missed a large portion of the 2024 campaign, but the Spaniard showed on his return that he is a force to be reckoned with, when he got back to full-fitness and with a complete off-season behind him, he’s ready to show the speed that saw him take victory at the opening round of the 2023 season. And while the track they visit in Argentina for round one this year is different than the one he won at, the #70 knows what he is capable of, and is excited at the prospect of starting afresh in ’25.
A rookie in the MX2 class last year, Zanchi made a solid debut in Honda HRC’s reintroduced 250cc programme. Despite the challenges, the young Italian delivered several strong performances, ultimately finishing 10th in the championship standings. Now, with a full season of experience and further development of the CRF250R, Zanchi is determined to take his performance to the next level. Relocating to Belgium over the winter demonstrates his commitment to improving, and he is eager to showcase his growth on the global stage.
Valerio Lata, the newest addition to the team, arrives with an impressive European motocross resume and the determination to continue his success in the world championships. Having already earned a podium as a wildcard rider in 2024, Lata has proven he has the speed necessary for the MX2 class. However, he understands the challenges of a full season and has used the winter to adapt to the bike while enhancing his fitness in preparation for the demanding 20-round schedule. Lata is eager to make his official debut with Honda HRC and is excited about the opportunity to prove himself on the world stage.
Before the season kicks off, the team will head to pre-season races for additional preparation before traveling to Cordoba, Argentina, for the season opener. With a strong lineup and high expectations, the Honda HRC team is ready to showcase their capabilities in the 2025 World Motocross Championship.
Tim Gajser
I’m coming into this year with a good attitude and with the confidence that I can go one better than in 2024. I did a lot of good things last year, and came very close, so it was disappointing to miss out but that is the past now and I can only focus on the future and what I can do to make it a good one. I feel like my winter training has gone well, I’m comfortable with the bike and I’m excited for the challenge ahead. We start off, and finish with new tracks, and then in between them are all ones we’ve ridden before, so it’ll be an interesting year and one I can’t wait to get going.
Ruben Fernandez
After the injury at the first-round last year, I didn’t get to really show everyone all the work I’d done in the off-season. And even at the end, I was only just scraping the surface of how fast I believe I could’ve been at a lot of rounds. Now, my aim is show that speed throughout the season, and challenge up the front of the field. I am in a good place, with good people around me and that is also important, so my goal is enjoy myself when I’m out on the track. If I can do that, I can definitely get some good results.
Ferruccio Zanchi
Finishing off the season with my best points tally of the season, really gave me a boost coming into this year. It proved that I belong at the front of the field, and I know that another winter of getting used to the bike, of getting stronger and fitter, and just of being better prepared for a 20-round championship will make 2025 a good year. We have been working throughout these past few months to improve and I’ve also made some changes personally that I believe will help too. Of course, it is easy to say all these things, but I have to go out there and show it and that will be the aim when the gate drops in Argentina.
Valerio Lata
It is great to be riding for Honda HRC in 2025, but after all the hard work I’ve done to get to this point, I know I can’t stop trying now. Now, I have to keep pushing, especially as this is a completely different machine than I have ever ridden before. Still, from the first time I rode it, I knew that I would be good on it, and with all the testing and training we’ve done, that feeling has grown. I have ridden pretty much all the European tracks before, but I’m very excited to be joining the MX2 full-time and racing around the world and getting the chance to experience Argentina, China, Indonesia and Australia for the first time.
Koji Watanabe
HRC President
I am really excited for the 2025 world motocross season, and seeing four Honda HRC riders on the gate across the two classes. Tim has been a great representative for our brand for a long time now and has been the ultimate professional and I hope he can get his sixth world title. Ruben is an exciting rider and one that should have the speed to be up there challenging on a consistent basis this year. Then we have the two young MX2 riders, Ferruccio and Valerio who have a lot of potential on our Honda CRF250Rs, so I will be paying a lot of attention to their results. I want to wish all four riders the best of luck and hopefully I will make it to some rounds to support them.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager - MXGP
Everyone at Honda HRC is really excited for the 2025 season. We have four riders who are all at really interesting positions in their career, and who are all highly motivated for this year to be a good one. Tim is obviously aiming for his sixth world title, after coming so close last year, and I think that’ll really spur him on and make him tough deny. Ruben got injured so early in 2024 that he didn’t really get to show anyone what he was truly capable of, so now he’s got the chance to do that all over again, and he definitely has some good tracks where he’ll be challenging for the win. Then we have the two youngsters in the MX2 class – Ferro had a good rookie campaign but now wants to really push on and fight further up the field, while Valerio is the rookie, but has already shown he can get on the podium, and wants to prove he can do it again. All in all, a great group of riders who will all do a great job representing Honda HRC.
Photo Credit: ShotbyBavo
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