Photos by: Ray Archer
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings has been on fire the last three weeks. Going 1-1-4-1-1-1-1-1-1 in his three pre-season races in Italy, England and France, and beating the MXGP riders in Hawkstone Park and Valence.
The two-time World MX2 champion is looking forward to making his first appearance in the GP series with a clean bill of health, after suffering serious injuries in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Now completely fit and with a great winter behind him, the rider many say is the fastest motocross rider in the world, is looking at returning to the very top in the MX2 class and adding MX2 title number three to his already impressive collection.
Jeffrey, it’s been a pretty decent pre-season hasn’t it?
Well, we started off in Sardinia, and it was my first race in like six months. It was hard to get used to the racing feeling again. We dominated MX2 around there, but then in the Superfinal, I had a bad start and the track was up-hills, so passing the 450s wasn’t easy. I started in mid-pack, and made my way to fourth or something like that.
The last two races you have really dominated.
Yes, it’s been really good. Obviously I won all three moto’s in Hawkstone, including the superfinal, and then did it in Valence again last weekend. So it’s getting better and better and everything is positive and I can’t wait for the gate to drop in Qatar. It’s been more than two years that I can actually say I am 100% on the bike and now it’s the first time in three years I had a perfect winter training.
How do you feel compare to other periods of your career, when you have also been 100% fit?
I think in the middle of 2014, I was really in good shape mid-season and I felt strong. I am not at the same pace right now, but I don’t need to be there yet. It’s a six-month season, and I can build to that. I think it is important to keep improving and that is what we are working for. I feel strong already and speed wise I am showing I am the fastest guy in MX2. Even though we didn’t run a GP yet, the guys like [Max] Anstie, [Aleksandr] Tonkov and others were there. Two big names in the class and only [Dylan] Ferrandis is missing. I feel strong and can’t wait for the Qatar race.
What has changed for you since your injuries?
I have changed my way of thinking. Three years ago I didn’t have any fears, I was just hitting the throttle wide open, and whatever will happen will happen. Now I am more playing it safe and taking my time more, and try and avoid risk or injury. A couple of years ago, I was wide open and see how it ended. Also in my head, I did everything I could to be ready for the season. We had a perfect winter preparation so far. When I am on the gate in Qatar, I can honestly say I did everything I could to be ready and whatever the result will be we take it from there.
Beating the top MXGP guys like [Clement] Desalle, [Shaun] Simpson and [Ben] Townley, does that give any regrets in not moving up to the MXGP class this year?
I mean, when we made the decision three months ago, it wasn’t even sure when I would be back on the bike. It could have been end of November, but it could have been end of December, or even January—we didn’t know. We are lucky everything went well and we started riding early. I don’t know, I have mixed feelings, but I don’t have any regrets on my decision. It’s a good decision for my confidence, to still do another year in MX2. MX2 is easier—there are so many heavy hitters in MXGP—but it isn’t the easy way out. There is no easy way to win a world motocross championship, be it MX2 or MXGP. Of course it’s easier to win the MX2 than the MXGP, but it still isn’t easy.
I read in the Suzuki press release you had a coming together with Ben Townley. Can you explain what happened?
You know the Valence track, it’s hard, slick, one lined and hard to overtake. If you do want to overtake, you need to make an aggressive pass. From my side I didn’t even touch him. It was a 180 turn, he went on the outside, I went on the inside and I just braked so he couldn’t turn. Then, he tipped over into the mud and corner actually, and I heard he hit his knee. If I did hit him, I am sorry. He is a friend of mine and we didn’t speak afterwards, but as I said, from what I know I didn’t touch him. If I did it was at really low speed, and I think everything will be alright.
What will your preparation be now for this last two weeks before Qatar?
We have done three races already, so we did everything we could. Now more practice, some more details and head off to Qatar. Then, go to that first GP.
Last question. I saw you will support your National championship. It’s got a new name, the dates don’t clash with the GP races and the prize money is better. It all sounds like positive changes?
I think the National championships are still important. We have a busy schedule with the GP races, but I still try and do some races in Holland. I think it’s important to do the maximum I can do. The first three I will do and then see what I do after that. I want to race for my Dutch fans because I know they can’t fly to Qatar or Thailand.
