Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1546567
Herlings, McLellan Lead the Charge in Shanghai T he penultimate round of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship headed to the Shanghai International Off-Road Circuit in Shanghai, China, Sep- tember 12-13, where high humid- ity and a technical track provided another demanding test for the world's best. While Jeffrey Her- lings already clinched the MXGP Championship the week before, the fight for MX2 supremacy remains wide open heading into the final round in Australia. Herlings once again delivered a statement ride in the MXGP division with Camden McLellan taking top honors for the fourth time this season. With his sixth world title already secured, Herlings showed no signs of easing up. The Honda HRC Petronas rider won the qualifying race, topped the morning warmup session, and immediately found himself at the front of race one. He quickly passed his teammate Tom Vialle and took control of the moto, eventually winning by more than eight seconds. Herlings followed up with an even better performance in race two, lead- ing from start to finish despite consistent pressure from Romain Febvre. Herlings crossed the line for his 124th career GP victory and his 235th race win, extending his run to 38 consecutive sessions without being beaten. "Both races I had a bit of an issue with the humidity, with the sweating and the goggles fogging up," Herlings said. "That is why I pulled away at the beginning and then I was struggling a bit. Nor- mally I never have a problem with it; it is just because it is extremely humid here in China. I managed to do enough in both races, mainly the second one, to win. Romain [Febvre] rode really good, I think it is one of his best races all year." Febvre secured another podium finish, finishing second overall. The French rider battled both Honda HRC machines throughout the day, first against fellow countryman Tom Vialle and later with Herlings. Febvre's pair of second-place results earned him the runner-up spot for the weekend and kept him second in the championship standings, thanks to his consistent run of podium finishes. Vialle grabbed the final spot on the overall podium in third overall. The Honda HRC Petronas rider WIND IN THE P44 Despite clinching the MXGP crown one week earlier, Jeffrey Herlings continued his winning ways with another 1-1 in China.