Jeffrey Herlings shows his determination at the Grand Prix of France

Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM Factory team has showed his determination at round nine of the world championship in Ernee, France. Herlings took poor starts in both motos and had to fight his way back through the pack. In both races he finished in fifth and in the second moto he earned this position coming from last after a crash in the first corner.

Jeffrey missed the podium for the first time in four events. The Dutchman was a watchable and attacking force in the first moto and his tussle with Paulin delivered some exciting scenes as the pair fought for track space. The former multi MX2 World Champion had a small slip but set his best time on the penultimate lap to capture fifth place. #84 was held up on first corner of the second moto and recovered brilliantly to recover from the depths of the top twenty to again reach the top five for seventh overall. Herlings is sixth in the MXGP standings and just eight points adrift of Van Horebeek.

Herlings: “It is a shame because I felt like I was one of the fastest here this weekend but I messed up the starts. Two fifth positions are not the results that we want but in two weeks we have another shot. The track was OK and I liked it. I felt good out there. It was important to go home safe. We’re thinking of Russia now and I know with top five starts then we’re in a position to win, it doesn’t matter the terrain.”

The FIM calendar now pauses after visits to Germany and Normandy in the past week. A long trek east and to Orlyonok for the first Russian GP since 2012 will take place in the coming fortnight.

Next Round: June 11 2017 – Orlyonok (RUS)

Results MXGP Ernee 2017

1. Clement Desalle (BEL), Kawasaki (4-1)
2. Tony Cairoli (ITA), KTM (2-3)
3. Gautier Paulin (FRA), Husqvarna (6-2)
4. Max Nagl (GER), Husqvarna (1-9)
5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL), Yamaha (3-6)
7. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), KTM (5-5)

Standings MXGP 2017 after 9 of 19 rounds
1. Cairoli, 347 points
2. Paulin, 297
3. Desalle, 289
4. Gajser, 261
5. Van Horebeek, 261
6. Herlings, 253