VFrom EC rider and talent to KTM factory rider and full GP pilot. From his trusted number 84 to the übercool 111 on the number plate… Things are going fast for 15-year-old Jeffrey Herlings, but the star from Elsendorp can't imagine it any other way! In Code 111 we regularly let Jeffrey speak during his first GP year.
“Hello MX fans in the Netherlands and Belgium! The decision has been made, we have just completed the first ONK in Mill. As you know, that didn't go exactly as I wanted for me. It wasn't to be, but I hope to make up for it in Halle. In the week before Mill I had trained so hard. Looking back now, I may have pushed a little too much and that broke me up. As a result, I wasn't quite at the top in the second moto. The World Cup is of course the highest priority this season, but I am also really looking forward to the ONK. In 2009 I just missed out on the title, which is why I am now extra motivated. In any case, I think it is better that they have now adjusted the scoring in the ONK. Just like in the GPs, that's how it should be in my opinion.
Can be seen on the posts in France! Jeffrey scrubbing in Valence.
Speaking of the GPs, I naturally get a lot of questions about that! Two more weeks and then I will be at the start for my first GP. It is also useful that I already know a little about that track in Bulgaria, Sevlievo. I've driven there a few times. It's a really, really hard track. Very fast, with lots of jumping bumps and nice and clear for the audience too. I'm definitely looking forward to it. You only make a debut once and that in itself is quite exciting, but I definitely don't have the feeling that I'm being thrown into the deep end or anything. Riding is going well and I feel fit. This winter I worked really hard and we rode a lot, especially on hard surfaces. The five weeks of rest I had to take because of my collapsed lung really sucked at that moment. I was not allowed to do anything at all to avoid straining my lungs. As a result, I have fallen behind a bit, or at least it seems that way because I think it may have only been a good thing. I had been riding intensively since the beginning of November, otherwise I would be almost at my peak now and start to deteriorate again in June or July. Now I'm growing and I hope to keep it that way. Does that fall in Winschoten mean that I will no longer ride indoors in the Netherlands? Well, I do not know. It's no Anaheim 1 if I may say so! But it shouldn't have happened. It was more my fault, I saw that someone was sitting in front and I wanted to jump ahead anyway. I did that and I ended up with someone else. Too bad, but Supercross continues to fascinate me. Maybe we will train with Ricky Carmichael for the MX of Nations. Then it would be nice to ride some good Supercrosses in Europe next winter, such as Geneva or Bercy. Although that is all still a long way away. We definitely have to look at that.
Stefan 'The Legend' Everts gives some tips before the start.
Since March last year I stopped school and am actually a full-time professional. That probably sounds crazy to some people, but it is the only way I can focus 110% on my sport, which feels very good. I have little contact with my former classmates anymore. Your life will automatically look completely different. I am often not at home, on my way to a competition or training in Belgium. I am busy with cross from morning until late at night. If I'm not training, I'm busy with my glasses, helmets, boots or other stuff, there's always something. If I don't do that when I'm at home, I go swimming with my friends, or use the computer or go to the cinema. My favorite films prefer to have some action, a bit of laughter and occasionally some beautiful women in them! I like that the most. I think the last movie I saw was Ice Age 3, which was okay.
Now that we have completed the first matches of 2010, I am gradually getting used to my new team. By that I mean, above all, everything that comes with it. It is of course great to immediately be able to ride for the Red Bull-KTM team as a factory rider. That's something you dream about, great when it becomes reality. Driving for the best team means that everything is the best: the best engines, the best parts, the best people, everything completely professional. Now it is serious, no more amateur federation or amateur team. In the past I have always been able to drive around for fun, everything else was incidental. Now I still want to have fun, of course, but now results have to come! One of the novelties this year is the full cooperation with Stefan Everts. Last year I heard it occasionally, now we have very regular contact. Stefan is both my team manager and a personal advisor. He also helps me with my training schedules and stuff. It is of course great to have someone like Stefan by your side. He can teach me a lot and I'm very happy about that. Especially because Stefan is one of those riders that I looked up to and still look up to. Or men like Carmichael and Stewart, they all have something that can benefit you.
During the ONK in Mill.
Sometimes people wonder how you can drive a motorcycle so fast at such a young age. I don't know exactly, but I think a lot has to do with your motivation. Every day I wake up with the same will to win. If you ask me what I want to do, the answer is always the same: win! I've been doing motocross since I was five years old and it's always been that way, I hate losing. I want to if possible on Top of the box to stand…
Well, enough writing for my first column. My Oakleys are here on the table screaming for attention. Then I'll start on that first!”
Always wide open,
Jeffrey herlings
PS Check here my website , so in English!
Photos credit: CDS
