Honda GDR Fox introduces its 2026 motocross roster
- May 21
- 4 min read
Chris Abbott
Editor
Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team introduced its 2026 lineup to a packed room of motocross media on Tuesday, May 12.
Round 1 of the eight-stage Triple Crown Series kicks off June 7 at Wild Rose MX in Calgary, followed by races in Manitoba (June 14) and Quebec (June 28), before arriving at Gopher Dunes, near Courtland, on July 5.
After competing on the home track, the Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team will continue racing in New Brunswick, Ottawa, and back to Quebec before concluding at Walton, Ont.
There will be three divisions – 450 pro, 250 pro and WMX (women’s). Factory-backed and privateer teams compete under the same banner for team championships and individual point championships.
The GDR (Gopher Dunes Racing) team, sponsored by Honda Canada and Fox Racing, will have four riders competing this year – 28-year-old Dylan Wright, winner of five national titles, in the 450; Hannah Cole, racing in the WMX; Dylan Rempel, from Aylmer, a five-year 250 veteran on the national circuit; and Braxton Zeitner, a 15-year-old from Mission, BC, who will make his full national tour debut this summer.
Zeitner, a 10-time amateur champion, was heavily recruited by Canadian teams, ultimately signing a contract with GDR.
“It’s a huge jump from last year and it’s a big opportunity, for me to show what I can do and just prove myself to everyone,” said Zeitner.
To prepare for his first 250 season, graduating from super mini, Zeitner ramped up his off-season training.
“It was a sweet winter, it was definitely different from every other year. I learned a lot from everyone down there, from my teammates, everyone honestly. It was a grind… and I definitely got a lot better.
“It was a lot of fun,” he added. “You’ve got to make everyday fun.”
Zeitner said he is enjoying his time in Norfolk County.
“It’s super sweet because I have the whole team backing me up, and I have a track, basically, right in my front yard. It’s a lot of fun.”
Zeitner said his goal is to win this summer, while keeping it fun, keeping it light, getting used to the bike, and improving himself.
Cole, from the Halifax, Nova Scotia area, is known as a top Atlantic Canada racer.
“It’s definitely a big change for me,” said 20-year-old Cole, based at Gopher Dunes MX this summer. “It’s been great being here with the team, and the support of the team is unreal, so it gives me a lot of confidence in my riding to be here. It makes it fun having more people to ride with – it’s a good time.
“It’s honestly unreal to be here, me and my dad have done this for so long, and my mom, of course. It’s just really surreal… and I am super excited to be with the team because I have so many more opportunities here. I can ask for help and it’s just the support and the knowledge around the team is what really stands out to me, because it gives me a lot of confidence in what I’m doing, too.”
The Women’s MX will be part of the national afternoon program this year and broadcasted on TV.
“It’s definitely growing and I think we’re heading in a good direction,” said Cole, who finished third in the series last year and expects to be back on the podium this summer.
Last year was a breakout year for 18-year-old Rempel, winning his first national race at Gopher Dunes while racing on a KTM team based in Quebec. This year, he’s wearing Honda GDR Fox gear after signing a new contract for the 2026 season.
“After last season, Derek (Schuster) and Ryan (Lockhart) called me just randomly out of nowhere, and said they wanted to work something out. I liked the deal and now I’m here,” smiled Rempel, second in the 250 series. “I’m excited. The bike’s really good and I’m having lots of fun.”
Riding with Wright has been something Rempel grew up with. “He’s always been here (at Gopher Dunes), so we always rode together, even when I was on 85s.”
Rempel said winning at Gopher Dunes was ‘really cool.’
“I grew up 20-25 minutes from here, so to win at this this track was pretty cool. Obviously it’s a tough track but we work hard all winter for this.
“I wasn’t even the fastest, I mean they passed me, but then I just got them back.”
“It’s always fun to have new teammates and new blood under the (Honda GDR Fox) tent, to hang out with and just get to know everybody,” said Wright.
“Massive changes this year on our program, obviously. (2025) was not a banner year… and I told Derek stuff’s going to have to change.”
Wright’s input was accepted, and they got to work in the fall of 2025 – making suspension/chassis and engine changes to his bike, and his riding strategy.
“I think it’s going to pay off. The winter goes smoother when you have a good fall, too. I think we’ve got an awesome package this year, and it makes me excited.
“When you come into your veteran years – I’m not getting old, but I’m getting ‘older’ in our sport – it gives you that extra motivation… and if something goes bad, it’s probably on me this year,” he smiled. “Because I kind of called a lot of the shots… I think it’s trending forward and I’m really happy with the crew we have.”
Wright, who splits his time between his home in Quebec and a trailer at Gopher Dunes, said it’s not added pressure to win, but there could be pressure if things ‘do not go well.’
“Assuming everything goes well, you get the personal gratification of like, ‘Hey, I made the right choice.’”
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