Jeffrey Herlings on his win at Preston Docks

Jeffrey Herlings secured a hard-fought victory at the opening race held at Preston Docks, overcoming a challenging start to claim the win. After beginning mid-pack, Herlings battled to keep fellow competitor Conrad Mewse at bay, demonstrating resilience and skill throughout the first moto. In the second race, despite achieving the holeshot, he encountered a recurring issue with his start device, which momentarily hindered his performance. The Dutch rider revealed that the start device malfunctioned for several turns, causing significant concern that he might not finish the race. However, once the device disengaged, Herlings was able to regain his pace, overtake Adam, and ultimately pull away to secure the win. He expressed frustration over the technical problem, recalling a similar incident in Spain that resulted in a severe crash, signalling a need for further investigation into the equipment failure. Beyond the mechanical troubles, Herlings praised the Preston Docks track for its challenging and technical nature. He described the circuit as “gnarly” with demanding take-offs, highlighting the satisfaction of competing on such a course. Herlings’ comments reflected both the difficulties faced and the enjoyment derived from racing at the venue, underscoring the competitive spirit of the event. The victory at Preston Docks adds to Herlings’ momentum this season, though the recurring start device issues present a concern that his team will need to address promptly. Ensuring reliability in this aspect will be crucial for maintaining his competitive edge in upcoming races. The event also emphasised the importance of adaptability and perseverance in the face of unforeseen challenges on the track.