Photos by: Chase Yocom
“I came, I saw and I conquered.” Those were the words Red Bull / KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings used to describe to us what he did at the 2017 Ironman National. The three-time former MX2 World Champion and rookie MXGP rider—currently 2nd in 2017 world championship—decided at the last minute to contest the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 450MX finale, and he simply worked the best 450 riders America had to throw at him.
Over the years, we have seen performances like Jeffrey’s from riders like James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto and Ricky Carmichael, but in the last four decades of American motocross, we have never seen a foreign GP rider step into the AMA series and perform like Jeffrey did on Saturday. Granted, Eli Tomac had the extreme pressure of clinching his first 450 title, but to be fair, we are not sure it would of mattered on that day. From the first practice to the last lap of the final moto, Jeffrey looked like he flew in from another planet.
After Jeffrey’s incredible 1-1 US debut and win, both Chase Yocom and Dan Lamb from MotoXAddicts asked him some questions about his experience.
Jeffrey, 1-1 today. Welcome to America, I guess.
Welcome to America! I came, I saw and I conquered. (laughs) I had a bit of luck in the second moto, but I had some bad luck too. I crashed in the first turn and I had to come back all the way from dead last. I showed everybody that I was the fastest guy on the track every time I went out. I’m very happy with the result, and I’m looking forward to next weekend [USGP]. I can’t believe we did it. The first time out we won. I’m pretty thankful, and I’m very happy. I can’t believe how good American fans are and how good the tracks are. The tracks are so badass!
They loved you and appreciated you here today. [As the fans scream for Jeffrey in the background]
I know, and I loved them too. It was awesome. I really can’t believe how good the fans were. They were so amazing. It’s the first time I’m out here and they were supporting me like crazy. I’m super thankful to all the American fans. I didn’t expect that. I thought that they would hate me and stuff like that. I really appreciate the fans and everyone that came out.
In the second moto—after you crashed—you were about 38th. What was your outlook at that point?
I just wanted to put it on the podium. I wanted to put it on the podium, and that’s what we did. I was getting close to Marv. I was like 5 to 10 seconds behind him when he crashed, but I came from all the way in last, so it was pretty amazing.
You came in here with probably high expectations for yourself, but you kind of laid the wood to the guys today.
I had an awesome day. I just can’t describe it. I was super nervous overnight. It was like all of Europe would be watching, and if I fail today, it’s not looking good for European motocross. But, like I said, I came, I saw and I concurred. The first moto was awesome, but in the second moto I made it hard.
Probably a dumb question, but did you surprise yourself at all?
Man, I never…I think this was my best race ever. I’ve never felt so good on a track. This track allows you to go fast. The tracks in Europe—I don’t know—they’re not that good (laughs).
What was the biggest part of the decision to come out and do this round while you were here?
I was so pissed at myself last weekend. I was going for my third overall win in Europe, my sprocket broke and I DNF’ed. Then my [MXGP] championship hopes were kind of over. So we decided, lets do a national since we’re in the United States anyways. Just, lets make it happen, and that’s what we did.
You were planning on coming over here for a Unadilla round either last year or two years ago, but it never happened. How stoked are you to make it happen? You definitely showed everyone what you were made of today.
Yeah, definitely. We had an amazing day. Everyone is always saying, “Herlings is scared to come over from Europe,” but that’s not the case. I’m just super happy at home, and I love racing at home, too. But, when I have a chance to come over here like this weekend, I definitely took it and we made the best of it. Once again, I can’t thank my fans enough.
This was a different bike for you this weekend. How did you gel with the bike?
You know, I had only one day to test the bike. It was different than the bike at home. We had just a couple of hours to dial it in, and I’ve never felt so good on a bike as I did today.
I was watching you early in the day adapting to the deep ruts quickly. At first you were getting your feet blown off the pegs with your on-the-peg style, but you obviously figured it all out.
I mean, this track is so awesome! There’s so many lines and so many corners to pass, so it’s pretty amazing.
After your brief experience here in America today, is there any chance we see you here full time in the future?
I have a European deal for three more years. By the time that deal is up, I’ll be 24 or 25, so I’ll be too old by then.
That’s not that old (laughs). Come on, we want to see you over here.
Who knows, maybe I’ll do a national. I don’t know. We’ll see how things will turn out. For right now, we’ll celebrate this win because it was a hard one.
