Enzo Lopes and Jeremy Van Horebeek discuss Brazilian opener

The 2026 MX1GP Brazil season got off to a strong start for the Honda Racing team, with Enzo Lopes making an impressive debut by winning both MX1 races at the opening round in Canelinha, Santa Catarina. Lopes, returning to Brazil after competing in the United States, took the early championship lead and delivered a commanding performance despite recently breaking three fingers. His teammate Jeremy Van Horebeek also contributed to the team’s success, securing second place overall in the combined race standings after overcoming a crash in the first race. Both riders competed on the Honda CRF450R, underscoring the team’s competitive edge. The challenging Canelinha circuit tested riders’ technical skills and physical endurance with its constant climbs, descents, and rapidly forming deep ruts. Lopes quickly took control in the first race, maintaining a lead that only widened after Van Horebeek’s crash. In the second race, which featured mixed MX1 and MX2 classes on track simultaneously, Lopes demonstrated patience before overtaking the leader and pulling away to secure a perfect weekend. Van Horebeek showed resilience after a multi-bike crash at the start of race two, fighting back from the back of the pack to finish third and claim second overall despite injuries sustained in the incident. Pietro Piroli also made a notable impression for Honda Racing in the MX2 class, finishing as runner-up in both races and demonstrating strong pace throughout the weekend. The rider from Rio Grande do Sul led much of the first race and maintained close proximity to the winner in the second, signalling a promising start to his championship campaign. Piroli acknowledged areas for improvement but expressed optimism about the team’s progress and his own performance as the season unfolds. The opening round was positive not only for the main Honda Racing team but also for their satellite outfit, JP Pro Honda Baterias Pioneiro. Cesar Aponte topped the MX2Jr class, while reigning women’s champion Luanna Neves claimed victory in the MXF category. Other riders such as Chilean Benjamin Garib and Marcus Vinícius Thorsternb delivered solid results in their respective classes, highlighting the depth of talent within the Honda stable. The championship now moves to its second round in Ponta Grossa at the end of April, where the team will look to build on their strong start.