Jeffrey Herlings interview - Moving to the MXGP class
By Infront Moto Racing on 2nd Jul 16
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings continues to show he is the man in the MX2 class and while it seems it will be his last season in the 250cc class, he isnt thinking too much into the future and MXGP.
With six rounds to go and a lead of 169 points over second placed man Jeremy Seewer, the Flying Dutchman is confident of taking his third MX2 championship and leaving the class with a lot of confidence.
"It is definitely on my mind moving up to the MXGP class,” Herlings said. "But the most important is to win the MX2 championship this year, win it as soon as possible and stay out of trouble and then start focusing on the big boy class. I mean I will be racing guys I have raced the last few years and for sure the competition is really strong in the MXGP class.”
Last weekend in Mantova, Italy the KTM rider put together yet another 1-1 result, and clearly showed he is remaining in the same frame of mind as he was at the very first round in Qatar. While Mantova is known as a sand circuit, it isn't as familiar as some of his favorite locals like Lommel and Assen.
"Mantova isn't really like a sand track, it's not like Lommel or Assen. In the qualification race my gate didn't fall and we had to restart and I wasn't focused and was like 15th or 20th, then I caught Dylan and was closing. He went down and made life easy. I was still struggling with my injury but we have three weeks off after this round, so I have time for it to repair.
Sunday though roughed up a little more and become a little more like his home circuits. It is in these conditions that Herlings comes into his own.
"Sunday, I enjoyed being there. The track is a little like Holland; I mean we had a Dutch guy on the podium with me. I still had some pain on my heal from the fracture, I need to take some time off, at least that is what the doctor has told me. The first moto I was around 10th and got the lead quickly and won easily. The second moto I took the lead on the second lap and rode training speed and the track suited me. I will let the body heal up and focus on Loket and Lommel and we have around 170-point lead, so we are happy.”
And with one eye on the MXGP class, his second moto lap times showed that he will be more than capable of running up front in 2017.
"It is strange that my speed is so good, but we have been riding so much, and I got bored of riding during the weeks, but now we are racing a lot, GP after GP. I did better lap times than the MXGP guys and that is something to show for the future.”
Now a rest for his weary body and prepare for the hard-pack of Loket in Czech Republic. Will it be another 1-1, or can some of the competition rise to the occasion and shock the world?
