Preview: Mantova to host Jeffrey Herlings HRC debut

This Sunday, February 8, the Mantova circuit will host the second and final round of the Internazionali d’Italia.

After Tim Gajser’s debut with Monster Energy Yamaha in Alghero last weekend, attention now shifts to another highly anticipated winter premiere: Jeffrey Herlings will line up for his first race with Honda HRC. This appearance will also mark the first on-track showdown between two five-time world champions representing their new teams. The Dutchman won’t be alone in the official Honda box, as Rubén Fernández and Tom Vialle are also set to contest their first race of 2026 with the iconic winged brand in Mantova.

The gate will once again feature a strong line-up, including Andrea Adamo, Mattia Guadagnini, Brent Van Doninck, Andrea Bonacorsi and Alberto Forato, while in MX2 the spotlight will be on riders such as Simon Längenfelder, Ferruccio Zanchi, Valerio Lata and Cas Valk.

Among the most notable absentees are Lucas and Sacha Coenen, the standout performers in Alghero, who will instead race this Sunday at the International of Pernes-les-Fontaines in France. That event will also attract top names like Romain Febvre, Maxime Renaux and Pauls Jonass. Oriol Oliver, third overall in Alghero, will also miss Mantova, as the Spaniard is scheduled to make his second pre-season appearance on February 15 at Hawkstone Park.

With these absences, Tim Gajser becomes the virtual leader in MX1, holding a 12-point advantage over Alberto Forato, currently fourth overall. In MX2, Simon Längenfelder also “inherits” the red plate, carrying a five-point lead over Ferruccio Zanchi into this final showdown in Mantova.

LIVE & SCHEDULE

For Live Stream ft Paul Malin, you can go to FIM-MOTO.TV.