Herlings almost back on the bike
Former two-time MX2 world champion Jeffrey Herlings will probably be able to get back on the bike in a few weeks for the first time since he dislocated his hip in July during the Czech Republic Grand Prix. The Dutchman only has to wait for the approval of the medical specialists before he can turn the throttle again, he is now in the last weeks of his rehabilitation.
The Red Bull KTM team has already started 2016 testing with new MXGP rider Glenn Coldenhoff and 2015 MX2 vice-world champion Pauls Jonass on the updated 250SX-F. Herlings will therefore be able to join the team even sooner than expected, where he will already be starting his sixth season in the KTM factory team. It remains to be seen which class or engine the 21-year-old Herlings will start in.
Herlings will be hoping to return to the form and fitness of 2013 where he took his second world title and the MX2 class would be the easiest and simplest way to do this on the bike he knows well. He is also toying with the idea of taking on a new challenge by switching to MXGP and that could be the long-awaited debut on the 350 or 450SX-F machine.
“If I stay in the MX2 class I have my reasons for it,” he says. “I have now been off the bike for twelve of the last eighteen months. If I go to the MXGP I have my reasons for that. I definitely want to step up and fight with the big boys, but after some serious injuries it is difficult to say 'I will do that now...'. If I had to have the perfect preparation for 2016 I think I would go to the MXGP, but everything depends on what the doctor will say. If he says that my hip is still not completely in good condition and I will need some more time, then it is not realistic after so much time to switch to MXGP and then get used to a brand new bike.”
“I don't think we will make a decision in the next few weeks, but only when I start driving again,” he added.
Original: Adam Wheeler – ontrackoffroad.com – Dutch Version: @Kris…
Photo: KTM
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