Jeffrey Herlings starts the MXGP season with a podium in Russia

Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM Factory team finished on the podium in the opening Grand Prix of the season in Russia.

Jeffrey captured the first Pole Position of 2021 when the Dutchman pushed his KTM 450 SX-F to the fastest lap in Timed Practice. Herlings made a so-so start in the first moto and managed to reach the finish line in 4th. His prime slot in the gate helped for the second moto when he pushed into the lead on the first lap. The Dutchman then made a mistake that cost him four positions. He was able to recover to 3rd and gained another place in the final two laps. Herlings returned to the box for the first time since his last Grand Prix finish in Italy during the summer of 2020.

Jeffrey Herlings: “I’m happy. These are not the best results and not what we dreamt of but I’m pleased to get on the podium at a track I don’t like so much. I worked my way to 4th in the first moto then had a holeshot, tip-over and then back to 2nd. It wasn’t a bad weekend. Hopefully it gets better from here. I’m already looking forward to Matterley Basin; it suits me better with more grip and lines.”

MXGP travels back to central Europe and for a swift sequence of six consecutive rounds in six weeks. Round two takes place at the popular Matterley Basin circuit for the British Grand Prix on June 27th.

Overall MXGP Russia:
1 Tim Gajser 50 Pnt
2 Jeffrey Herlings 40 Pnt
3 Romain Febvre 37 Pnt
4 Alessandro Lupino 34 Pnt
5 Jeremy Seewer 31 Pnt