Ray Archer Photos
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings will move up to the MXGP class in 2017, that is now nearly 100%. Due to a rule change by the FIM, that says that you can only win two MX2 titles in the MX2 class, means that Herlings, who should win his third this year will have to move up.
In what will make the MXGP class next year even more exciting, the arrival of the rider many say is the fastest in the world makes for mouth watering racing. This is probably the biggest news this year for sure.
Just last weekend American legend Jeff Emig mentioned in the MXGP commentary how it will be hard for the current MXGP riders once Herlings moves up.
We caught up with Herlings and talked to him about it.
What do you think about the talk that you have to move up to the MXGP class in 2017?
There are a lot of rumors about that, and I have heard some things, and a long story short, I have to move up, or at least I think that will happen. Nothing is official as yet, but regarding all the rumors and what I have been told I have to move up next year.
How did you find out and what do you think of the new rule set by the FIM?
Pit (Beirer), who is obviously a big guy in the sport and important for the sport. He brought me the news first and last weekend a lot of journalist mentioned it. I am just a rider, one of the so many riders and at the end of the day we have to listen and follow the rules. I don’t like the rule, but if it does happen, then we just make the best of it. I had to move up in 2018 anyway, so it’s just one year earlier.
Moving up to race the premier class must also be exciting for you?
It is definitely on my mind, but the most important is to win the MX2 championship this year, win it as soon as possible and stay out of trouble and then start focusing on the big boy class. I mean I will be racing guys I have raced the last few years and for sure the competition is really strong in the MXGP class. Everyone expects me to be up front, Gajser, Febvre, Cairoli, those guys are fast and really good. I won easy yesterday, but that won’t happen in MXGP, or it will be hard to win like that.
If you win the MX2 title within the next month or so, would it be an idea to move straight to the MXGP class for the final few rounds?
To test yes, to race I don’t know. I haven’t thought about that. I haven’t ridden the 450 that much, so we need to get on it, we already have a really good bike and Ryan Dungey won some titles on it, and America, Cairoli is good on it, and each riders have their own wish on it. You want to change the power, the suspension and you need a couple of weeks to do that stuff, and I don’t think we have time for that this year. All the guys need all winter to get the bike dialed in, so it would be tough if I win the championship early. I don’t want to plan too much, but if we can get everything together, maybe, but as it is at the moment, I don’t think so.
What about the MXoN in September? Will you race the 450 there?
We haven’t spoken about the team selection from the Dutch Federation. They haven’t contacted and it isn’t my decision, but that of the federation. We can work out what class is best.
