Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings once again showed how much he has improved in the MXGP class in 2017 with his stunning 2-1 result to win his second USGP, and show the world what a talent he is. If winning a round of the AMA Nationals a week earlier wasn’t enough, the performance in Florida cemented his place on the world scene.

Click to check out what's new at Race Tech
Click to check out what’s new at Race Tech

We caught up with the Dutchman after his victory to find out how he felt.

How did the weekend feel?

I felt really good. We had the bad beginning of the season, but it’s come really good. Tony and I had a great battle first moto. Obviously, Tony [Cairoli] and I both had bad starts and Eli [Tomac] had the holeshot, so by the time I got into second he was gone. Tony and I were second and third and he had a big gap. Second in the first moto was good. I kept everything open for the overall win.

 

Second moto was a much better start.

Second moto, I changed my gate pick and took a good start. I was around third, quickly passed Gautier [Paulin] and was behind Tony. I knew it was hot, I got a bit more used to it after what happened in Ottobiano, where I passed out after the race. We decided to stay at Aldons place and I want to thank KTM and Aldon for that, it was warm there and I got used to the temperature. I knew it was brutal and I didn’t want to pass Tony too quick, because I knew Tony would fight back, so I was waiting for a mistake, or attack him the last three or four laps. He made a small crash and he handed it to me.

Jeffrey (right) showing Eli (left) how to protect yourself during a champagne celebration.

How did qualification feel?

I think we had a good qualifying heat. I was second or third and managed to pass Febvre and Tony quickly. I made a mistake and Tony passed me again. The track wasn’t easy to pass and pretty flat. We had a lot rain in the morning. Start was important but I wanted a rougher track for Sunday. I felt mentally and physically strong.

 

A great win at the AMA Nationals, and what did you expect from the USGP?

I am just so bummed we had a bad start to the season. I missed the boat I think. I just want this form to keep going.

 

How did you like the track?

The track was a bit sketch—some of the take offs and landings. After Saturday, I thought it would be a bit hard to pass, but as you saw in the first moto Tony and I were able to pass riders. The dirt was good, just a little bit soft, the jumps and stuff and some gnarly kickers in the jumps and the rollers. We have to be good at all tracks and it was still one of the best tracks on the calendar.

 

Awesome week, you couldn’t have asked for much more?

Well, I could have gone 1-1 today, we went 2-1, and it’s the best after a bad start in the opening moto. I mean I won last weekend and I won this weekend, so I am very happy about that.

 

You are not making any of those silly mistakes you made in the MX2 class. Is that because the competition is so much stronger and you need to be really focused?

No actually, my man Pit Beirer said after my crash in the pre-season, if I do that one more time he was going to slap me. Just kidding, but I just don’t want to mess up and at that time I was just stupid, going crazy the first few laps. I just want to be smart for myself and also for the team. They put a lot of hours to get the best possible bike and a lot of people working hard for me. I don’t want to try and win it in the first laps.

Jeffrey and Antonio battled hard in both USGP motos.

It seems like you are more often waiting behind Antonio to make your move, while a few months ago you might have pushed earlier and he knew when to make his attack. You’re race craft seems to have improved a lot.

I just believe in myself, and I believe I am physically strong, and at the point Tony crashed, that was actually the point, seven minutes to go, that was for me go time. He made it easy work (because he crashed), but still I sprinted away took an easy speed.

 

The confidence, it has to be 100% now?

Riding wise I feel 100%, start wise we can still be better. Saturday was good, second moto was good, but that first moto I was like 15th. We are still working on that, it’s all about confidence and believing.

 

After Eli went 1-1-1-1 in the USGPs last year, you guys have really turned it around. It seems like you have improved the MXGP class speed, and maybe with Ken out the AMA 450 class speed has gone down? What about the whole American experience?

I don’t know, if I wasn’t here, maybe Eli wasn’t here. He was just here for this race. Tony didn’t have to attack that bad if I wasn’t here. If I wasn’t in MXGP maybe Tony won most of the rounds. I am putting pressure on him, and we have had some great battles and I am really enjoying it.

 

Assen coming up, that is another big one, and you love it there. You must be excited for that with this form you are in?

I am, its two rounds to go, so I am excited. I hope to do my best and that is all I can do. Hopefully we can put it on the box for my fans and a win would be awesome. Tony will probably clinch the championship in Assen, but if you look all year long he has been the best, and he deserves it.

Photos by: Ray Archer

Author