Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings proved too strong for the opposition last weekend in Germany. Another 1-1 and a massive point lead means the Dutchman is starting to look like the favourite to defeat defending world champion Antonio Cairoli, although its still a long way to go.

Here are some comments from the Dutchman throughout the weekend.

Another win?

Good starts again and my riding was really good in both motos. I cannot ask for more than leading every single lap this weekend. I’m really pleased and it’s a bit of a dream weekend. This track is not one of my favourites – even if I don’t really mind most of the circuits – but they prepped it better than yesterday and there were some more lines and it was a bit rougher. Onto the next one!

 

What about Saturday?

It was good. The start was okay, Paulin had just a better jump that me, but I was on the inside, so I out dragged him to the next corner. They should really worked on the track, it was a lot of fun out front, but I think with the rocks and stones, you’re getting hit. I think they should rip it at least overnight and then water it, so we get more lines to pass. It’s fine if you’re at the front but to work up to the front is not so good so hopefully they work over night on the track and they get it better prepared for Sunday.

Herlings is currently looking around for someone to race with. The Dutchman is leaving the MXGP behind.

What made it good on Saturday?

I was very consistent on Saturday, I felt good and the bike was very good, so I was looking forward to Sunday. I had hoped it was going to be a good day, the key is a start at this track. If it’s rough or flat like Saturday, I don’t think it will really matter, it was hard to pass.

 

Where is best to start in Germany?

I think more on the inside, then the better it’ll be. On many occasions they’ve cut me off but hopefully tomorrow everyone goes straight to the first corner in both moto’s. Hopefully they keep it real and keep it clean for everybody. But to go back to the question, the better the inside then the better it should be I think.

 

Cairoli had issues on Saturday.

It’s racing, a mechanical sport and things can happen. Obviously, Tony was lucky it happened to him on Saturday, but it could have happened to him tomorrow or happen to me tomorrow as well. It’s a fun sport, a lot of unexpected things can happen. Sometimes it’s in your favour and sometimes it’s not. I’d prefer to be 29 points in front than 29 points behind – let’s keep it that way.

After winning 9 of the last 10 motos, Jeffrey now has a 48 point lead over Cairoli in 2nd.

You must be so happy with your form at the moment?

I feel good, I mean like I feel like I’m leaving nothing on the table from anywhere at the moment. I eat, breathe and sleep motocross currently and it’s hard for myself and for my body. I don’t know how many years I’ll be able to do that, but I basically work to do as best as I can on the weekend. It’s demanding but the results show some good things. I feel physically strong and mentally strong. I just want to take everything out of my career that I possibly can. Back in the MX2 days things came easy but now I have to really work hard for it. It will be my dream to ever become MXGP World Champion and you know, to accomplish that you have to do everything right. I think I’m in the best possible shape up until now, we haven’t had setback regarding injuries for a long time.

 

A lot of block passing and stuff in MXGP/ How do you feel about that?

They will do and its part of the game I would say. But I hate it, I’ve seen MX2 too, I’ve seen Jonass cut Prado off and Prado cut him off. I’ve seen Tony cut me off at Redsand, he cut me off in Agueda. In MX2 they do it to each other, so I’d say that’s okay. But Tony has done it too me and I’ve never done it to him in that kind of way. It’s a little bit unfair but if the rules say elbows can be in front then you can basically do what you want. We race each other 60 moto’s a year, it would be better to keep it fair. At the end of the day the best guy will still win probably. I hate those things, especially because I’ve had some major injuries in this sport, so I don’t want to make it even more dangerous.

Photos by: Ray Archer

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.