The Silly Season Week: Gajser Lined Up at Yamaha as Herlings Lands at Honda HRC

GateDrop leads the week with a grade A claim that Tim Gajser will ride for Yamaha Factory Racing in MXGP in 2027, partnered by Rubén Fernández. Four titles, one of the longest Honda relationships in the paddock, and a reported move to blue. Treat it as a strong report rather than ink on paper until Yamaha says so.

That sits alongside a confirmation that does not need grading. Jeffrey Herlings will race the Honda CRF450RW for Honda HRC in MXGP next year, per MXVice. The factory seats at the top of the class are rearranging themselves at speed.

GateDrop also carries a grade A claim that Gyan Doensen's planned MX2 step up has collapsed and he is currently without a 2027 ride. The same source reports, again at grade A, that Fantic will field no MXGP rider next season, and that Jeremy Seewer has no route left to stay in the class, with his full-time Grand Prix career possibly ending.

America has its own holding pattern. SwapMoto reports at grade A that Chase Sexton has neither decided nor signed for 2027, and separately that he is set to test the Suzuki RM-Z450. Both claims carry weight. Neither closes the door.

Confirmed elsewhere: Jago Geerts to SR Motoblouz Honda, Malcolm Stewart to Kawasaki, Isak Gifting re-signed at JK Yamaha, Maxime Grau and Julius Mikula both to Honda HRC in MX2, Nicolo Alvisi to Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki in EMX250 beside Francesco Bellei, and Luca Nierychlo to Norman KTM in EMX125.

The structural news is ZXMOTO. The Chinese manufacturer will enter MXGP, with JM Racing running the factory programme, both confirmed by GateDrop.

One denial. MXVice reports Adam Sterry will not ride for Chambers KTM Racing in 2027.

The board stands at 70 live rumours, 16 new claims this week, 50 confirmations and that single denial.

Next week should answer whether Yamaha puts its name to the Gajser deal, where Sexton lands after the Suzuki test, and who picks up Doensen and Seewer if anyone does.