Double MX2 world champion Tom Vialle made a significant career change for 2026, departing the United States to return to the MXGP paddock with Honda HRC Petronas. Nine rounds into the season, that decision appears justified, and here’s what we’ve been able to take from the Frenchman’s early form since returning to grand prix competition.

After clinching back-to-back 250SX East titles with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Vialle was left searching for a multi-year 450 deal in America due to an increasingly competitive rider market – driven by the emergence of highly-rated prospects and veteran premier class riders extending their careers.

That point was further emphasized when two-time 450SX champion and four-time 450MX title-holder Eli Tomac entered the conversation late last year, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing electing to instead build its future around Haiden Deegan. Tomac subsequently landed at KTM alongside Aaron Plessinger, later joined by four-time world champion Jorge Prado following Vialle’s exit.

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While the Austrian manufacturer reportedly offered Vialle a one-year extension to make his 450 transition in America, he instead elected to join Honda HRC Petronas in Europe, which was itself entering a new era for 2026 following the departure of five-time world champion Tim Gajser to Monster Energy Yamaha.

A multi-year contract and lucrative promotion to the premier MXGP category ultimately proved enough to lure the 25-year-old back to Europe, where he now forms part of Honda’s renewed MXGP effort alongside Jeffrey Herlings, who also switched from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ahead of this season.

For Vialle, the results have been promising, but mixed. Victory at the MXGP of Switzerland via a 1-6 scorecard remains the standout moment, while injuries forced him to miss both the German and Latvian rounds. Following a seventh-place finish on return to action in Italy on the weekend, he currently sits ninth in the championship standings.

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More success included winning his qualifying race on debut aboard the factory CRF450RW in Argentina, which was followed by third on the round podium courtesy of 2-4 scores that weekend at the opener. His most recent podium came at Trentino in April, where he placed third overall.

How his season is judged largely depends on perspective though, because on one hand, Vialle is an MXGP rookie learning the demands of the top tier category. On the other hand, he arrives as one of the sport’s most accomplished internationals, having won championships on both sides of the Atlantic.

Given the circumstances, what you initially want to see is speed, and as the old saying goes, you can work with that. Another interesting consideration is how this return may position him in the years ahead, because Lucas and twin brother Sacha Coenen continue to be linked with moves to the US – likely as soon as 2027 – which will remove them from the equation altogether.

Image: Supplied.

Should that occur, Vialle’s primary rivals may continue to be established names such as Herlings, Gajer and current champion Romain Febvre, all of whom are at the elder end of the spectrum. At the same time, a new generation led by Kay de Wolf, Andrea Adamo, Maxime Renaux, and teammate Ruben Fernandez are beginning to emerge in their own right.

Compare that landscape to America, where the likes of Jett and Hunter Lawrence, Deegan, Justin Cooper, and Chase Sexton will continue to headline the premier ranks for some time, and the long-term attraction – and genuine title opportunities – for Vialle in Europe become easier to understand.

As for 2026, the verdict on Vialle after nine rounds is largely positive. He has already secured an overall victory, proving he possesses the speed required to win at the highest level in MXGP. When considering his rookie status in the category, combined with the challenge of readjusting to European racing after three seasons in SMX, this move is shaping up as the right one.

There has been little doubt that Vialle has the talent to succeed wherever he lines up. From both a career stability and championship point of view, his sudden return to GPs simply makes the most sense. With 10 rounds still to run, there is still ample opportunity for the next chapter of that story to unfold, and come 2027 he will be even stronger again.