Jeffrey Herlings on a memorable GP win

Jeffrey Herlings delivered a remarkable performance at the Italian Grand Prix in Arco, demonstrating why he remains one of the fastest riders in the MXGP circuit. In the first moto, Herlings staged an impressive comeback, climbing from outside the top ten to overtake race leader Romain Febvre with just two laps remaining, securing a memorable victory. The second moto saw a similar effort as he advanced from around tenth place to finish second, which was enough to clinch the overall win despite Tim Gajser increasing his pace in the closing stages. Throughout the weekend, Herlings showcased exceptional speed and skill, consistently posting the fastest lap times even when caught in traffic. He acknowledged the challenge of overtaking on the tight Arco track, especially against top riders like Gajser, who defended his position effectively. Herlings praised his own fitness and flow on the circuit but admitted that better starts would have translated into more wins, highlighting the ongoing battle with race starts and injuries throughout his career. Herlings also credited his switch to Honda for the improved performance on the technical Arco layout, contrasting it with his previous experiences on KTM, where the track had posed more difficulties. Despite being in his 17th year of professional racing, the Dutch rider expressed strong motivation and passion for the sport, emphasising that victories fuel his drive to train harder. He also reflected on the highly competitive nature of the current MXGP field, noting the depth of talent and the close battles that make the sport more exciting for fans and television audiences. Looking ahead, Herlings anticipates a challenging season with multiple riders capable of winning Grand Prix events, which he believes is positive for the sport’s popularity and entertainment value. He contrasted the current intense rivalries with past eras, where dominant performances sometimes made races less engaging. Herlings’ candid insights underline his enduring commitment to motocross and his role in elevating the excitement of the MXGP championship.