Herlings back in the prizes with 3rd overall as MXGP cuts the sand in Sardegna
MXGP faced its first authentic sandy test of 2024 as the Grand Prix of Sardegna plunged the MXGP and MX2 classes into the rough and rippled Riola Sardo terrain for round three of twenty in 2024. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing toasted an MXGP podium on the sunny Italian island as Jeffrey Herlings rode to 3rd with his KTM 450 SX-F.
For the fourth year in a row the challenging Riola Sardo sand was the scene for a demanding and technical MXGP Grand Prix. The circuit is familiar to most of the FIM World Championship field as a regular winter testing location as well as a habitual host of a date in the Internazionali d’Italia ‘pre-season’ series. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing travelled to Sardinia after races in Argentina and Spain and with some of the squad keeping in competitive trim during domestic competition last weekend.
On the international stage Riola was a stern test of man and machine with a hot spring climate adding to the difficulty. Jeffrey Herlings was the best performer from the four-rider roster on Saturday for the RAM Qualification Heat. The Dutchman was 3rd in MXGP despite battling some discomfort from a practice fall.
Herlings was the main focus for the MXGP motos and as the most prolific racer in the history of the sport continues his path back to full speed, confidence and potential. Although he needed some painkillers, Jeffrey attacked the sand to confirm 3rd place in the first race and his second top-three classification of the season so far. In the second outing he started better and was stalking the rear wheel of leader Jorge Prado when a small slip dropped him to 3rd. He confirmed 3-3 for the day: his first silverware of 2024 MXGP after marking 8th and 4th in the previous rounds.
MXGP retains an Italian flavor but heads to the mainland for the Grand Prix of Trentino next weekend. The series will change sand, sea and sun for the epic Dolomite mountain landscape and punishing Arco hardpack.
Jeffrey Herlings, 3rd and 3rd for 3rd overall in MXGP: “I had a massive one on Saturday morning and had the wind knocked out of me, which didn’t help. I had an issue with my ribs all weekend then and the track was so bumpy. No excuses…but it meant the GP was a struggle. The second moto was the first time this season I had the pace to go with Jorge…until the crash! Overall, this was a step forward. I’m not as fast as the other guys yet but I’m much closer than I was in Argentina and closer again than I was in Spain. I’ll keep growing. It’s a long season and a lot more motos to go. I’m happy to be back on the podium for now.”
Results Grand Prix Sardinia:
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 1-1
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 2-2
3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 3-3
4. Pauls Jonass (LAT), Honda, 5-4
5. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 6-5
World Championship Standings MXGP:
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 174 points
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 157
3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 125
4. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 123
5. Pauls Jonass (LAT), Honda, 113
