The Ricky & Robb Podcast – Ep. 17

The Ricky & Robb Podcast Show – Ep. 17

Jeffrey Herlings is officially the 2026 MXGP World Champion, but the story behind his sixth world title may be even more impressive than the championship itself. After leaving KTM, moving to Honda HRC, adapting to a completely new CRF450RW and overcoming years of injuries, Herlings has reminded everyone what makes him one of the greatest motocross racers of all time. Coach Robb and R.J. break down his incredible comeback, the physical demands of riding at the MXGP level, and how even a small loss of mobility from an ankle or wrist injury can completely change a rider’s balance, positioning and performance. The conversation also raises an intriguing question for Jett and Hunter Lawrence: what does Herlings’ success tell us about Honda’s newest 450 platform and what could it mean heading into the 2027 Supercross season?

Next, the conversation turns to Team USA and the 2026 Motocross of Nations in Ernée, France. With Cooper Webb, Levi Kitchen and Chance Hymas representing the United States, is this overlooked American lineup actually capable of winning the MXoN? R.J. explains why Team USA may be leaving valuable experience on the sidelines and lays out how former champions could serve as rider liaisons, studying individual sections of the track and feeding critical information back to the racers. From Kitchen’s ability to charge through the field to Hymas’ starting ability and Webb’s reputation as a big-game racer, this may not be the most obvious Team USA lineup, but it could be one of the most dangerous. At the Motocross of Nations, outright speed matters, but resilience, consistency, strategy and simply making fewer mistakes can ultimately decide which country stands on top of the podium.

Finally, attention shifts back to the United States as the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs begin. With Jett Lawrence sidelined, Hunter Lawrence carrying momentum but dealing with a wrist issue, and Ken Roczen returning fresh, the SMX championship suddenly looks wide open. There is also another storyline hanging over every gate drop: Eli Tomac’s retirement and the final races of one of the greatest careers in American motocross and Supercross history. Coach Robb and R.J. discuss the pressure of knowing the end is coming, what retirement feels like after spending an entire life preparing to race, and why Tomac deserves the opportunity to enjoy these final moments. With huge money on the line and some of the fastest Supercross and motocross riders in the world coming together, the next three rounds of SMX could deliver plenty of surprises.

Timestamps and Topics of Conversation:

00:00 Introduction

0:56 Herlings: Injured to World Champion

05:17 Why 1% Physical Limitation Changes Everything

10:37 MXDN: Are We Missing a Huge Opportunity?

17:04 Can We Win MXDS?

30:45 SMX Preview

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Coach Robb’s New Travel-Inspired Recipe Book