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Jeffrey Herlings comes close to the podium in Spain

A busy Grand Prix of Spain on the outskirts of Madrid was the scene for round two of twenty in 2024 MXGP. MXGP landed into European soil for the second Grand Prix of the season and into the compact confines of the Spanish circuit constructed specifically for the MXGP fixture and on the southern outskirts of Madrid.

On Saturday Jeffrey Herlings recovered from two big ‘moments’ from the start and during the formative phases of the RAM Qualification Heat to work his way to 4th position by the checkered flag and therefore earn the same choice in the gate for Sunday’s motos.

Herlings started brightly in the first MXGP moto on Sunday. He fought in the beginning and towards the end with Tim Gajser and captured 3rd for his first top three result of 2024. In the second race he made it to 4th on the first lap but a static affair saw little passing opportunities and he crossed the line in the same berth.

From Spanish earth to deep Italian sand: the Riola Sardo circuit on the island of Sardinia will entertain the third Grand Prix of 2024 during the first weekend of April.

Jeffrey Herlings, 3rd and 4th for 4th overall in MXGP: “Pretty OK. I was 5th in the first moto and worked my way to 3rd and pretty much stayed there the whole time. I put a challenge on the 2nd placed guy but couldn’t make the pass. An ‘OK’ start in the second moto and stayed in 4th. No excuses. Things went better than Argentina but still not a great weekend. We made a step in the right direction because we were closer to the leaders than round one. We’ll put our heads down and look to Sardinia where we can hopefully get on the podium and where a win would be absolutely great.”

Results MXGP Spain 2024
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 1-1
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 2-2
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 4-3
4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 3-4
5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Kawasaki, 7-6

Standings MXGP 2024 after 2 of 20 rounds
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 114 points
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 104
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 92
4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 77
5. Pauls Jonass (LAT), Honda, 46

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Solid start for Jeffrey Herlings at the MXGP of Argentina

Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has made a solid start of the world championship in Argentina. The wide and rippled course of Neuquen has become a familiar Grand Prix staple for the MXGP field and since the circuit first entered the world championship in 2015. Herlings made the long journey from central Europe to the depths of South America with the ambition to be consistent.

Under cloudy, chilly skies and with typically vocal and passionate native support, the GP got going with the RAM Qualification Heat on Saturday providing both MXGP and MX2 classes with their first gate drops of the season. Herlings rode to a steady 6th place.

Herlings took a measured approach to the difficult, fast and bumpy Argentine soil. Playing a smart game and fully aware of the 57 starts still to come after the Nequen fixture Herlings plotted charts to 8th and 7th for 8th in the final rankings.

Jeffrey Herlings, 8th and 7th for 8th overall in MXGP: “It is what it is today. Not too bad but we also gave away some points. We qualified 6th and had an 8th and 7th today. Not where we want to be but hopefully we’ll be better in Spain because I won there last year and also in 2021. I think the track will suit me more, better than this one, which was quite sketchy. It’s nice to watch here but tricky for racing.”

Results MXGP Argentina 2024
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 1-2
2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 2-3
3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 5-1
4. Pauls Jonass (LAT), Honda, 3-4
5. Maxime Renaux (FRA), Yamaha 4-6
8. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 8-7

Standings MXGP 2024 after 1 of 20 rounds
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 54 points
2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 51
3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 51
4. Pauls Jonass (LAT), Honda, 46
5. Maxime Renaux (FRA), Yamaha 39
8. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 32

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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

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Herlings back in the game and anticipating MXGP of Finland return this weekend

The record-holder for most Grand Prix wins in the entire history of the FIM Motocross World Championship, Jeffrey Herlings, will ride his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 450 SX-F this weekend at Vantaa in Finland for round fourteen of the 2023 MXGP season.

The 28-year-old Dutchman has recovered sufficiently from the fractured neck vertebra he sustained as a result of a crash while leading round nine of nineteen in Germany. The winner of four Grands Prix this season (still the joint-highest total in 2023) missed rounds in Indonesia, Czech Republic and Belgium while he convalesced from the injury but received the all-clear from doctors this week to begin riding and will now attempt MXGP’s first visit to Vantaa this century.

The sandy nature of the Finnish course, located close to Helsinki, should play into Herlings’ favor but, instead of harboring ambitions of race results, #84 is merely looking to build-up his GP speed once more and place points on the board to improve his current standing of 7th. Finland represents the third fixture in three weeks for MXGP, so the Red Bull KTM ace will then have another two weeks to continue his comeback prep before round fifteen, the Grand Prix of Sweden, in mid-August.

Herlings claimed the MX2 Grand Prix of Finland at Hyvinkaa in 2014 but was on the sidelines for the return to the circuit in 2022 last year. He has six podiums from nine GP appearances in 2023 to-date.

Jeffrey Herlings: “Once I knew the problem with my neck and back was going to need time and I’d sit out races then my only focus was to heal 100% before I came near the bike again. I know the physical and the mental cost of setbacks like this and I was determined to follow the doctor’s advice. If I couldn’t have the title this year then I wanted my health. I’m still in good shape so I hope it won’t take too long to get back at the front.”

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Herlings back in the prizes with Latvian MXGP Victory

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing emerged from the eighth round of 2023 MXGP with more distinction as Jeffrey Herlings used his KTM SX-F technology to conquer the wet, fast, rough and sandy-ish terrain around the Zelta Zirgs layout for the Grand Prix of Latvia. The Dutchman clinched both motos with authority.

MXGP arrived to one of the most consistent venues on the FIM Motocross World Championship slate as the Grand Prix of Latvia was once more hosted by the expansive Zelta Zirgs circuit in Kegums. The hard ground with a soft and sandy top layer was again tricky for the riders due to the mix between rough but slippery sections and the overcast and rainy conditions.

Herlings was the standout performer from the Red Bull KTM troupe on Saturday as he took Pole Position in the RAM Qualification Heat; his first Saturday #P1 of the season. On Sunday Herlings chased Jorge Prado and dealt with period of arm-pump as well as a small crash before dropping his lap-times and passing the Spaniard to win the first moto. The weather was at its worst just ahead of the second race but Herlings, who has finished on the podium three times in his last three appearances at Kegums, set a steady pace in 3rd and the blitzed to the front with three laps to go and as some belated sunshine appeared. The most successful Grand Prix winner of all-time (up to 103) is still chasing rival Prado in the standings and is now just 15 points behind the Spaniard.

Jeffrey Herlings, 1st and 1st for 1st overall in MXGP: “A tough race. I was a bit scared the start mesh was going to be slick in the second moto, so I dropped the revs and almost missed the start but I still came out 3rd. I had to work hard to get through and it was not easy at all to catch and pass Jorge and Romain but when I went for it, I could make it happen. Romain was riding really good. I had to fight. 1st place as well yesterday so a good GP and I’m very happy and pleased to have a perfect weekend. Now onto Germany.”

Results MXGP Latvia 2023
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1-1
2. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 2-3
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 6-2
4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED) Yamaha, 4-4
5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha, 7-5

Standings MXGP 2023 after 8 of 19 rounds
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 393 points
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 378
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 306
4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 294
5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha, 273

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Jeffrey Herlings luckless in the French MXGP

Round seven of 2023 MXGP dropped onto the steep hillside of Villars sous Ecot for the FIM Motocross World Championship’s first visit to the circuit since 2017. Jeffrey Herlings was luckless to finish 9th overall with a second moto DNF in MXGP.

Considerable work had been done to the circuit layout at Villars sous Ecot, and also in the wake of heavy rainfall in the build-up to the Grand Prix. Deep ruts, bumps and a slowish, technical terrain lay in store for the MXGP and MX2 riders and for what was a typically well attended event in eastern France.

Red Bull KTM figured prominently during the RAM Qualification Heat races on Saturday: Jeffrey Herlings taking a steady 3rd place to grab championship points and the same ranking in the start gate for Sunday’s motos.

On Sunday Herlings produced an unstoppable late charge to pass three principal rivals and reach 2nd position behind Jeremy Seewer in the first moto. The track was at its driest and the circuit was heavily packed with race fans but Herlings was snubbed in his bid for a third win and a fourth podium finish in a row by two technical issues in the second race. The damaged footpeg forced a retirement and meant 9th place overall.

The sandy surface of Kegums will again play host to the Grand Prix of Latvia and round eight on June 3rd-4th.

Jeffrey Herlings, 2nd and DNF for 9th overall in MXGP: “The weekend started pretty well and I was in a good spot for today. I felt good in the first moto and by finishing 2nd we were close to the red plate but second moto we had a couple of issues and unfortunately I couldn’t finish the race. Not the best way to end the Grand Prix but these things can happen. We’re 24 points down now but we’ll work to get them back and I’m looking forward to racing in Holland this weekend and onto Latvia the week after.”

Results MXGP France 2023
1. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha, 1-2
2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 3-1
3. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 4-3
4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 5-4
5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED), Yamaha, 8-5
9. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 2-DNF

Standings MXGP 2023 after 7 of 19 rounds
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 342 points
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 318
4. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 263
3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 263
5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha, 243

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The new standard: Herlings reaches record #102 victory with Spanish MXGP success

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings has set a new all-time Grand Prix win record with a comprehensive 1-1 moto haul in Madrid, Spain and the sixth round of the 2023 FIM World Championship. Across a rough and rutty hard-packed course south of the capital, Herlings was dominant with his KTM 450 SX-F for his second triumph in a row, his third of the season, a first 1-1 of the year and the 102nd of a career that began in Red Bull KTM colors in 2010.

Jeffrey Herlings is victorious for the second time in a week and the fourth time on Spanish soil to move to within 6 points of the MXGP world championship lead.
Seven days after equaling Stefan Everts’ old 101 record the 28-year-old Dutchman sets the new standard with 102, and 192 career moto wins, all achieved with KTM 250 SX-F and KTM 450 SX-F machinery and in 23 different countries and 43 different circuits.

The purpose-built circuit of Intu Xanadu Arroyomolinos gathered thousands of Spanish motocross fans for what was the fourth MXGP event to take place at the site south of Madrid. A collection of tight corners, a narrow trajectory and some spectacular jumps were formed by hard-packed and rough terrain.

The climate for qualification was hot and sunny and the weather remained stable and therefore demanding on Sunday. Jeffrey Herlings came to Spain on the positive momentum of his victory from the Portuguese GP the previous weekend. The win had brought Herlings level with the all-time record of 101 career triumphs, and the Dutchman already boasts the most checkered flags by any rider and well over 7000 career points accumulated. He took 2nd position in the RAM Qualification Heat, missing P1 by just one second. In the first moto he patiently set his pace and moved up from 3rd to 1st by the midway stage. The second outing was similar and he made three positions in typically attacking style to head the pack by the final ten minutes of the moto.

Herlings’ place in motocross history is guaranteed but for the narrative of 2023 he now has three wins from six and five podium appearances. The gap to Jorge Prado and the red plate is just six points.

Jeffrey Herlings, 1st and 1st for 1st overall in MXGP: “I’m super-happy to improve my moto wins total and take the GP win record outright. The rest of the guys have really stepped it up this season – Jorge is riding awesome – and they are really pushing, so I did not expect this would come so soon. It is still anyone’s game on any particular Sunday. To have won three from six until now is something I wouldn’t have imagined. My starts got a bit better, not great though, and top five positions were enough today. In the second moto I could always see a leader in front of me, so I could rely on that, even though it was tough to pass here because there was only really one fast line. In the end I could control the moto. I enjoyed the fans here; they were amazing for their home heroes. I hope I can win a couple more world titles in my career and then I’ll lay on the beach knowing I’ve done enough!”

 

Results MXGP Spain 2023
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1-1
2. Mattia Gaudagnini (ITA), GASGAS, 3-3
3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 5-2
4. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 2-5
5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Yamaha, 4-6

Standings MXGP 2023 after 6 of 19 rounds
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 294 points
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 288
3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 224
4. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 214
5. Maxime Renaux (FRA), Yamaha, 202

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History for Herlings with record-equaling 101st Grand Prix win in Portugal

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing launched into the first of two back-to-back events on the Iberian Peninsula by watching Jeffrey Herlings win his 101st career Grand Prix and his second of the 2023 MXGP series at a sunny Agueda for the Grand Prix of Portugal.

The distinctive red soil of Agueda staged the FIM Motocross World Championship once more but provided the riders and teams of the MXGP and MX2 classes with a reversed course and other modifications to the quick, jumpy and relentless layout. Agueda has been a steadfast and consistent date on the MXGP slate for the competition’s most westerly European appointment.

Two rounds after Jeffrey Herlings crested the three-figure barrier in the Grand Prix record books, the five-times world champion was back to his attack on the sport’s statistics. A 3rd place in the first moto (finishing two seconds from the winner) despite arm-pump was forgotten with a rampaging performance and victorious run in the second outing. Jeffrey is now one GP triumph away from the outright #1 status in the world championship record books. In the framework of 2023 Herlings is 2nd in the MXGP championship table, staring at a slender 17 point deficit to Jorge Prado with the red plate.

MXGP decamps a short distance and across the border for round six. The Grand Prix of Spain will take place at Intu Xanadu Arroyomolinos next weekend.

Jeffrey Herlings, 3rd and 1st for 1st overall in MXGP: “It’s really great to come and get another win. It’s been a long road and I feel I am getting back to my old self in some ways. A good performance today. The first moto wasn’t that positive and I had some arm-pump again – I really don’t know why – but in the second one I felt like a different rider and could really push. I’m looking forward to Spain. 101 GP wins is pretty special and now just one more for the record.”

Results MXGP Portugal 2023
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 3-1
2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 2-3
3. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 1-6
4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 7-2
5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha, 5-4

 

Standings MXGP 2023 after 5 of 19 rounds
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 246 points
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 229
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 214
4. Maxime Renaux (FRA), Yamaha, 202
5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 182

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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

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Herlings becomes longest-serving Red Bull KTM racer with fresh MXGP contract for 2024 and 2025

The enduring union between Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and multi FIM Motocross World Champion Jeffrey Herlings will continue beyond the 2023 MXGP campaign and stretch on another two years.

The 28-year-old inked another contract extension with the decorated factory crew after visiting the Motorsport headquarters in Munderfing, Austria last week.

Herlings initially signed for Red Bull KTM early in 2009 to make his FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship debut as a fifteen-year-old for the 2010 season. During a thirteen-year competitive period to-date the KTM stalwart has won 99 Grands Prix with both 250 and 450 SX-F machinery and gathered three MX2 titles (2012, 2013 and 2016) and two MXGP crowns (2018 and 2021), including one of the most dominant displays in MXGP history in ’18 and with a last-round-last-race success in ‘21 where three riders still had a chance of the #1 plate during the final laps of the event in Mantova, Italy.

Herlings, the most successful Dutch rider in the history of the sport, missed the entire 2022 MXGP schedule due to a pre-season injury but is now in the throes of training and testing preparation for the 2023 calendar that will begin on March 12th at Neuquen in Argentina. #84 will face his seventh term in the MXGP class and with the 450 SX-F.

The fresh renewal for 2024 and 2025 will take Herlings from the age of 14 to 30 in Red Bull KTM Factory Racing colors and elongate a memorable partnership to a total of seventeen years at the highest level.

Jeffrey Herlings: “We’ve been together for a long time and I believe I am now the longest-serving Red Bull KTM athlete as this will be my fifteenth year and from when I first signed in 2009. We now have another two years together and maybe more to come. It’s great. Me, Pit and Robert have been very close during this time and have a great connection and together with Valentina [Ragni, Team Coordinator] these have been the people around me since the beginning and for all those fifteen years. We’ve been working really good together and we all want the same goals. I’m happy and thankful to extend the contract again and it’s great after a dark period in 2022 that the team and the company still have trust in me. I didn’t want to move, I’m happy where I am, and I love the group.”

 

Tony Cairoli, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Of course I’m really happy that Jeffrey has re-signed with the brand and the team. He’s a big star for us and for the sport so it’s really nice that such a big talent stays in KTM. He will come into the season after a difficult year so we will have to build into 2023 but Jeffrey is such a big champion and will win again, like he did in the past. I don’t think any team could wish for a better rider and we’re pumped to continue.”

 

Robert Jonas, Head of Motorsports Offroad: “2022 was a hard season for Jeffrey and our team but we set our sights on this year and the future and it is fantastic to keep that #84 in Red Bull KTM colors for two more years. Jeffrey is one of the fastest riders and racers on the planet. He hasn’t always had the best luck but his desire to win and to set new landmarks seems the same as when he made such a strong impact in the team as a teenager. He will lead a young crew of guys for the next couple of seasons and his work ethic will be the ultimate example for them to learn. Jeffrey also has his own goals of course and with 99 GP wins, a strong KTM 450 SX-F and the thirst to be back at the top of MXGP, we hope 2023 and the next couple of years are going to be pretty special.”

 

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “Our journey with Jeffrey is epic. There have been many highs and some big lows and we have watched a passionate and determined young kid become one of the best riders we have ever seen in the sport. Jeffrey is Dutch but I’m sure there is another part of him that is ‘orange’ because he has been a KTM guy passing through two decades and from that very first GP in Bulgaria in 2010. There are still some chapters to write in our story together, and 2023 will be a ‘comeback’ season for him and for us in the MXGP class. I’m really happy we will push again all the way up to 2025.”

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