Motocross as is played out last weekend at the MotoGP circuit in Assen, is the reason I love this sport so much. The pure emotion from the 50,000 Dutch fans, the emotion from both Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli in victory and defeat, that is what the sport is all about.

When Jeffrey Herlings passed Antonio Cairoli for the lead in the opening moto on Sunday, I am not sure I have heard a Dutch crowd go so wild. The Dutch are not known for their craziness, in fact better known as a mild group of people, but last weekend, with their 24-year-old hero bursting past one of the greatest riders in the sport history, it was priceless. For Herlings, it was the just reward for a season of hard work, and amazing class.

When Herlings stopped for his victory celebration it was chaos, orange t-shirts, trophy girls, his parents, and the media circled the Dutchman and as the champagne bottles were opened, Herlings looked a little lost. Completely and utterly overcome by the moment the coolest cat in the paddock, the kid who has risen from those days of something of a spoilt brat was showing so much respect to everyone involved. It was one of those moments when you are glad you were there, and his unbridled battle with Antonio Cairoli was for now over. The two congratulated each other, celebrated together, and for now the war was over.

I had spoken to Jeffrey prior to the press conference, seeing around 100 Dutch media I asked if I could call him during the week for an interview. As always it wasn’t a problem, “any time Geoff”. Its hard not to like Jeffrey Herlings the person as much as it is this amazing talent on the bike, the rider who brings something different every single GP.

We are on the crusp of something very special, just like the De Coster era of the 1970s, the Everts era of the new millennium and the Cairoli era (which might not be over just yet), we are entering into an era that will take the sport not only in Holland, but around the World to another place. This young phenomenon isn’t even close to reaching his full potential, and while that is scary for his opposition, it means we the fans will be seeing something very special in the next five or six years.

The changing of the guard came in 2018 with Jeffrey Herlings (right) winning his first MXGP title, but we do not think for a minute Antonio Cairoli (left) is done.

Records will be broken, and young non-motocross fans will be attracted to this media friendly Dutchman, who has a passion for victory and to bring out sport to a better place.

I caught up with Jeffrey as he finished his dinner last night, and as always, he gave us an insight into what a weekend it was.

 

I know I mentioned I would leave you alone on Sunday and give you a call during the week, but just for interest, how many interviews did you do on Sunday, because I know there was a lot of Dutch press there?

I basically lost count, maybe 100, nah, just kidding. We did a lot of interviews, but its part of it, and I enjoy doing it. It does take a lot of energy, but I am in the position that I can promote the sport and try and make a good name for myself. The most important is try and get the sport bigger.

 

I talked to Antonio after the race, and he mentioned that a lot of people came up to him and mentioned that it was their first ever motocross race. He also mentioned what a good job you do in getting those people there. So you are attracting a lot of people to our sport.

Yes, I try and be a role model, not just for children, but also for the sport. I think it is important because we can grow, we will probably never be like F1 or football, never get that big, but I try and make the sport grow and that would be good. Tony mentioned there were people who never had been to a motocross race before. You know its better for the industry, better for the riders and hopefully more children will get a motorcycle instead of a pair of football boots. More talent will come and its good for many occasions.

Winning his first MXGP title in front of his home Dutch fans had to be the experience of a lifetime for Jeffrey.

I have been to a lot of GP’s and a lot of Motocross of Nations, and I mentioned it in the press conference, but that crowd was really like a Motocross of Nations crowd. When you passed Antonio, the crowd went mental, and it was MXoN atmosphere. When you passed him and you could hear the crowd, what sort of sensation is that?

It was amazing and especially that first moto, because I passed him just before the wave section (in front of the grandstand), so through the wave section I couldn’t even hear my bike. Those moments are priceless and so special. You really have to enjoy that moment and I did. The whole weekend was chaos for me, going from interview to interview and all over the place meeting people. I also had to ride and it was a very busy weekend. I did have a great weekend with 1-1 and the championship, so it was worth it.

 

Tell me, the people around you, Ruben, your mother, Pit, Valentina, your mechanic (Wayne Banks), Dirk (team manager). We hear riders all the time talking about how important that is, and your group has been the same for probably nearly 10 years. How important is that for you?

I think it is very important. I know the people I work with, with KTM for almost 10 years and I have been there for a long time. They are like family to me, and we are loyal to each other and I would walk through fire for them and I know they would do the same for me. It’s a nice way of working and we always have fun together and looking at the results, we do well together.

 

I am not sure which moto it was and maybe it was just my imagination, but it seemed like you were cruising and then started lapping the top 15 guys and pushed a little harder. Did you see who you were lapping and think about trying to lap as many as possible?

In the second moto, I crashed and tried to pass Glenn in the first lap, and I was 10th or something and had to pass a lot of guys to get into the lead, but in that first moto I lapped up to sixth and some big names in there ,and that was special. Between the first and second moto I didn’t have time to focus, because I was doing interviews and a lot of people were congratulating me and things like that. So it was hard to focus on the race and I think that is why I didn’t crash, because I didn’t have the perfect focus. I didn’t go over the limit all weekend long, especially Saturday, because I didn’t want to crash or anything. We were fastest Saturday and Sunday and we won, so that was enough to wrap up the championship.

Now it’s time for Jeffrey to head to RedBud and take on America’s best, Eli Tomac, at the 2018 MXoN.

You got to ride with the number one plate on your bike last weekend, and I can imagine it would be nice to go back there next year (MXoN) with a number one plate on your bike as Motocross of Nations champions. Team Netherlands have a team good enough to win the Nations. You like to break records and the Dutch have never won the MXoN. Is that a goal?

You know, its difficult, because it isn’t just in my hands. I do think we have a very strong team, but I am honest and I don’t think in a normal situation, that we are capable of beating Team USA or Team France. I think the rest we can beat if everyone goes to plan and looking at the quality of our riders. I would be a dream coming true to after winning the Dutch championship and going undefeated, and also winning the World championship with that many motos and GPs and it would be the cherry on the cake if I can get an individual win at the MXoN and the team victory. I can’t imagine a better year than that.

 

It is funny the Nations the last three times, you have gone 1-2-2-1-1-2. Isn’t it time you went 1-1?

Yes, 100%. In Lommel 1-2, Maggiora 2-1 and last year in Matterley 1-2, so it is time to go 1-1. It would be nice to do it in America, against all their top guys, against Roczen, Tomac, and Antonio.

 

Last question. What did you get up to on Sunday night in Assen? Did you go hard, or take it easy?

You know, I was so tired from the whole week and weekend and the pressure, I just enjoyed some French fries a good dinner with the friends and family and we partied until about 23.30 and then went to bed. You know, I still have work to do, I still want to win the last GP in Italy and do well at the Nations. I want to finish the season strong and the most important thing was the championship, but everything else is extra and I want to be 100% fit and 100% focused. I didn’t drink, but we had a good time.

Photos by: Ray Archer

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