More podium goals for Honda HRC PETRONAS in Latvia

The Honda HRC PETRONAS team is gearing up for the MXGP of Latvia at the sandy Kegums circuit, a venue where Jeffrey Herlings has historically excelled with nine previous victories. After a challenging weekend in Germany, where a technical issue ended his race one prematurely, Herlings is determined to regain momentum and secure a tenth win at Kegums to bolster his championship bid. His recovery to second place in race two demonstrated resilience, but he acknowledges the increasing difficulty of maintaining top positions against strong competition this season. Ruben Fernández arrives in Latvia buoyed by his first podium finish of the year, a milestone achieved despite a collision that cost him valuable positions. The Spaniard is optimistic about building on this success and aims to consistently challenge the frontrunners in upcoming races. Meanwhile, Tom Vialle will be absent from the Latvian round due to ongoing injury issues sustained earlier in the season. After pushing through pain in Germany, Vialle has prioritised recovery to ensure he returns fully fit for the Montevarchi GP in Italy later in June. Valerio Lata is another rider to watch in Latvia, having shown promising pace and strong performances in recent rounds. Although he narrowly missed a top-five finish in Germany, Lata is focused on replicating his improved form and capitalising on the different demands of the Kegums track. The team is hopeful that the weather-affected conditions typical of this round will provide further opportunities for their riders to shine. Team manager Marcus Pereira de Freitas reflected on the mixed outcomes from the previous race weekend, highlighting the significance of Fernández’s podium as a reward for his perseverance. He praised Herlings’ ability to bounce back despite setbacks and noted Lata’s progress under challenging conditions. While Vialle’s absence is a setback, the team remains confident in his recovery and looks forward to his return as the season progresses. The Latvian GP represents a crucial juncture for Honda HRC PETRONAS as they aim to consolidate their presence at the sharp end of the MXGP World Championship.