• Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
imotorbike logo
  • Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • X (Twitter)

  • YouTube

  • LinkedIn

  • RSS

Motorsport

Honda HRC’s Rising Duo Ready to Shine at Matterley

Honda HRC’s Rising Duo Ready to Shine at Matterley
Michelle Liew
June 19, 2025

With Gajser and Zanchi absent, Ruben Fernandez and Valerio Lata step into the spotlight at Matterley Basin, aiming to turn opportunity into podiums for Honda HRC.

With Gajser and Zanchi absent, Ruben Fernandez and Valerio Lata step into the spotlight at Matterley Basin, aiming to turn opportunity into podiums for Honda HRC.

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for instant updates!

When the spotlight fades from the stars, sometimes the best stories emerge from those waiting in the wings. That’s the fresh narrative unfolding for Team Honda HRC as they head into Round 12 of the 2025 Motocross World Championship at Matterley Basin, a fan-favourite circuit, and this year, a rare stage for redemption and rising talent.

For once, it’s not about Tim Gajser’s breathtaking last-corner heroics or Ferruccio Zanchi’s winning streak at this venue. This time, with both of them absent, the story belongs to the other half of HRC’s roster: Ruben Fernandez and Valerio Lata. And perhaps that’s what makes this round even more intriguing.

No Gajser? No Zanchi? Not a Problem.

In sports, absence is often viewed as a disadvantage. But for Honda HRC, the absence of its biggest names has created an unexpected opportunity: a clean spotlight for Fernandez and Lata to own the stage without being overshadowed by the heavyweights.

And that’s a compelling scenario. Fernandez arrives fresh from a gritty fifth-place finish in Latvia, where he pushed through lingering pain from a German crash. Now, recharged and close to full fitness, he returns to one of his favourite tracks, where his confidence is peaking—not least because of his strong outing here at last year’s Motocross of Nations.

Meanwhile, Valerio Lata, still early in his MX2 journey under the HRC banner, has a different kind of opportunity: to prove that his rising form wasn’t just a flash. Matterley will be his first Grand Prix at this iconic venue as a factory rider—and he’s hungry to erase the memory of Latvia and remind everyone why he’s been turning heads all season.

Matterley: Grand Stage for Grit and Growth

One thing is for sure: Matterley Basin is no ordinary circuit. With its sweeping layout, elevation changes, and big jumps, it rewards bravery and precision in equal measure. The good news? The forecast promises rare British sunshine all weekend, offering a fast, clean racing surface—a contrast to the chaos of muddy rounds past.

For Ruben and Valerio, this is the perfect canvas: one is chasing redemption after injury, the other chasing recognition after being the underdog for most of the year.

Racing Without the Stars But Not Without Fire

Team Manager Marcus Pereira de Freitas puts it best—this weekend is less about what’s missing and more about who’s stepping up. “Ruben is ready to attack again, and Valerio is eager to put the last round behind him. It feels like we’re heading into something big.”

So while fans may miss the marquee names, what we get instead is something equally thrilling: a chance to see the next layer of Honda’s factory strength rise to the occasion. It’s not about Gajser’s legend or Zanchi’s stats this weekend—it’s about two hungry riders, one elite factory setup, and a rare chance to break out of the shadows.

Related ItemsfeaturedHondaHonda HRCmatterleymatterley basinmotocrossMXGPnewnews
To read the full story
login with google
login with facebook
or
Create an account for free
This won't cost you.
by clicking this button you agree to iMotorbike's visitor agreement
Already have an account? Sign in here
Click here to get notified on every new article
Motorsport
June 19, 2025
Michelle Liew

An avid fan of motorsports bringing you top-notch content from the two-wheeler world! Gear up for the latest updates and news with top speed delivery

Related ItemsfeaturedHondaHonda HRCmatterleymatterley basinmotocrossMXGPnewnews

More in Motorsport

Moto2: Jake Dixon Wins in Sepang

Hazique ZairillOctober 28, 2025
Read More

Swiss Moto3 Rider Noah Dettwiler in Critical but Stable Condition After Sepang Crash

Hazique ZairillOctober 28, 2025
Read More

Yamaha V4-Powered Prototype Completes Second Full-Length MotoGP Race at Sepang

Amzar HazeeqOctober 27, 2025
Read More

Shell Advance Unveils All-New Flagship Motorcycle Lubricant at MotoGP Malaysia 2025

Amzar HazeeqOctober 27, 2025
Read More

Hakim Danish Impresses with Fastest Lap at Malaysian GP Despite Early Retirement

Hazique ZairillOctober 27, 2025
Read More

Alex Marquez Claims Dominant Victory in Malaysian MotoGP

Hazique ZairillOctober 27, 2025
Read More

Double DNF for Honda HRC Castrol at Sepang

Michelle LiewOctober 25, 2025
Read More

Bagnaia Back with a Bang to Take Sepang Pole by 0.016s

Michelle LiewOctober 25, 2025
Read More

Arenas Targets Podium as Binder Prepares for Hot Sepang Battle

Michelle LiewOctober 25, 2025
Read More

Sepang Showdown: MotoGP Stars Gear Up for Malaysia 2025

Michelle LiewOctober 23, 2025
Read More

Valentino Rossi’s BMW M4 GT3 Sold for Over RM 3 Million at Auction.

Hazique ZairillOctober 23, 2025
Read More

Ducati Lenovo Team Heads to Malaysia for Round 20 of the MotoGP World Championship

Amzar HazeeqOctober 23, 2025
Read More
We want to buy your bike Join us on Telegram
Scroll for more
Tap

Join us on Facebook

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • 47th ASEAN Summit 2025: Major Road Closures, From 26 until 28 October 
    EventsOctober 15, 2025
  • SYM Launches VFE 185i for Malaysian Market at RM9,988
    Buyer's guideOctober 1, 2025
  • WMOTO Unveils Cruiser AMT 125 and EZ125i for Malaysian Market
    Buyer's guideOctober 2, 2025
  • Sepang
    MotoGP 2026 Launch Event Relocated from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
    LifestyleOctober 3, 2025
  • KOVE Moto Officially Lands in Malaysia with the 800X GT and 450R
    Buyer's guideOctober 8, 2025
  • TVS Teases Apache RR450 Ahead of EICMA 2025
    NewsOctober 12, 2025
  • Chigee AIO-6 LTE 4G Review: A Smart, Connected Display for Riders
    Buyer's guideOctober 6, 2025
  • Moto2: Jake Dixon Wins in Sepang
    EventsOctober 28, 2025
  • Swiss Moto3 Rider Noah Dettwiler in Critical but Stable Condition After Sepang Crash
    EventsOctober 28, 2025
  • Norton Set for Bold Comeback at EICMA 2025
    NewsOctober 27, 2025
  • Behind the Scenes of Honda’s Rallye du Maroc 2025 Victory
    NewsOctober 27, 2025
  • CFMoto 250SRR Lite Makes Its Malaysian Debut at Sepang International Circuit
    Buyer's guideOctober 27, 2025
  • BMW R18 Signed by Pope Francis Sold for Charity
    NewsOctober 27, 2025
  • Suzuki Malaysia Launches the All-New GSX-8T and GSX-8TT at Sepang International Circuit
    Buyer's guideOctober 27, 2025
  • MV Agusta Lucky Explorer Project 9.5: testing the Schiranna prototype - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • CFMOTO 450SR to enter Malaysia in March 2023 at RM29,300 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Suzuki V-Strom now available in Malaysia at RM81,900 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Colin says:

    I hope they make the Dax street legal. Love to…

  • Mohd Razi bin Rosli says:

    Adv 150cc

  • Nena Maxberry says:

    Just curious what they would retail for

  • Adam Kenny says:

    RM4159 for the front fork is it?

Categories

  • Buyer's guide
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • cafe racer malaysia murah
  • Campaign
  • CSR Programme
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Industry
  • Industry
  • Kedai Motor
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
      • EICMa
    • Helmet
    • Motorsport
      • ARRC
      • CubPrix
      • EWC
      • Moto3
      • Motocross
      • MSBK
      • WSBK
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Moto2
  • Motor Murah
  • News
    • Locals
    • MotoGP
    • Scoop
  • Review
  • Scoop
  • Scoop
  • SEO
  • Suzuka 8 Hours
  • Tips & Tricks

Corporate

About Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclosure Policy
Contact Us
SUBSCRIBE NOW!

2024 iMotorbike World Sdn. Bhd.(1205246-M). All rights reserved.

Ducati Turns Mugello into a Masterpiece
MV Agusta Superveloce 1000 Ago: Art, Speed, and Legacy Reborn
Nak Jual Beli Motor 😊 ?
WhatsApp
Hi iMotorbike 😊
Open chat