Jeffrey Herlings fourth in MXGP of Sweden
The Grand Prix of Sweden began the final five round run-in of 2023 MXGP during the next six weeks. Jeffrey Herlings managed to take fourth overall in the muddy circumstances.
Jeffrey Herlings rode his KTM 450 SX-F to the top four in the MXGP qualifying heat and was ready to race for the motos on Sunday.
Sunday morning began wet and grey but soon brightened. Heavy overnight rain had a marked effect on the track conditions making it softer, slower and rougher. Herlings didn’t have the best start in the first moto and contact with another rider broke his right front fork guard; he negotiated the opening phase of the race with the guard flapping and in danger of jamming his front wheel. Once the component had dropped away, he tried to gain positions and arrived to 8th. The Dutchman then posted 4th in the second moto: a sustained shower made the track even more one-line and he could not demote Maxime Renaux to enter the top three.
Jeffrey Herlings, 8th and 4th for 4th overall in MXGP: “So-so. The track was not the best today and I think many will share this opinion. I didn’t get the start in the first moto and came from 15th to 8th but it was almost impossible to pass: I think you could see a lot of the top guys were stuck. Second moto I was 4th at the start and had the pace for the leaders but I couldn’t pass [Maxime] Renaux. He was riding really good, didn’t make any mistakes and was always on the line! 4th overall is not good, not bad. I hope the tracks will get a bit better for us and we can put on a better show. I’m looking forward to my home GP now: it’s gonna be hard, gonna be rough but it should be good! Two decent starts and I hope we’ll be fighting for a podium spot.”
Results MXGP Sweden 2023
1. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha, 3-1
2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 2-2
3. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 1-6
4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 8-4
5. Pauls Jonass (LAT) Honda, 4-10
Standings MXGP 2023 after 15 of 19 rounds
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 770 points
2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 672
3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha, 603
4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED) Yamaha 553
5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 521
7. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 456
