Jeffrey Herlings second in MXGP of Argentina

The Grand Prix of Argentina launched the 2023 FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship with a packed attendance at the Neuquen circuit close to the small town of Villa la Angostura in Patagonia. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing came away from the first round of nineteen with Jeffrey Herlings as MXGP runner-up.

South America was the scene of the first chapter of MXGP for the third time and a wonderfully atmospheric Argentine Grand Prix produced a fast, rough and demanding course for the first motos (and the new qualification heat format including world championship points for those ranked 1st-10th on Saturday).

Herlings felt his way back to Grand Prix speed in calm and impressive fashion. A steady 4th in the first moto was improved by a better start and a run to 2nd place in the second race. The overall classification put the Dutchman on the second step of the podium behind Ruben Fernandez.

Round two of MXGP means a drift back to Europe in two weeks time and into the sand of Riola Sardo for the Grand Prix of Sardegna.

Jeffrey Herlings, 4th and 2nd for 2nd overall in MXGP: “I got better throughout the weekend. I haven’t raced these guys for sixteen months and that amount of time means you should not underestimate the class. I have done hundreds and thousands of laps in training but you cannot replicate the intensity of racing here. Every session was getting a little easier and I don’t think it is bad to 2nd. If I had this option beforehand then I would have taken it. I just want to keep on building up my race rhythm now.”

Overall MXGP Argentina:
1 Ruben Fernandez 41 Pnt
2 Jeffrey Herlings 40 Pnt
3 Jorge Prado 40 Pnt
4 Romain Febvre 38 Pnt
5 Pauls Jonass 33 Pnt

World Championship Standings:
1 Jorge Prado 50 Pnt
2 Ruben Fernandez 48 Pnt
3 Romain Febvre 44 Pnt
4 Jeffrey Herlings 41 Pnt
5 Maxime Renaux 40 Pnt