Masterful victory for Herlings in IronmanMX!
Although the start was disappointing, Jeffrey Herlings made a fantastic turnaround in the 2nd series of the IronmanMX! 'The Bullit' came back from last place to roll up the entire field. Jeffrey was in a class of his own and overtook both Baggett and leader Musquin in the extreme.
Just like Jean-Michel Bayle in 1989, Herlings immediately won in his very first AMA National. Yet the Elsendorp resident did not get his stunt for free. He got boxed in at the start and crashed on the first lap. Then the three-time world champion gave it his all! The Red Bull KTM pilot went through the field like a knife through butter.
He not only came back to number three, Blake Baggett, with two laps to go Herlings drove towards his ex teammate Musquin. Marvin made a mistake with one and a half laps to go. At that moment Jeffrey was already close and was able to take advantage. Musquin did everything he could to get back, but Herlings crossed the line first. What a race! The sensational ending ensured that champion Eli Tomac's match faded somewhat into the background. More about that here.
Jeffrey Herlings: “I was so angry with myself when I crashed at the start of the second moto. I thought, this can't be happening, not now! After that I just went for it. Okay, I was lucky with Musquin's fall, but I'm happy that I was able to show what I can do here. Few riders dare to compete in another championship. For my part, I have at least shown that I have the balls to do that!”
When asked if he had seen anything like a pit board to let Musquin pass, 'The Bullit' said delicately: “I was busy with my own race. I didn't look at the pit boards.”
Ironman 450 Race 1
1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Marvin Musquin
3. Blake Baggett
4. Cole Seely
5. So Tomac
6. Cooper Webb
7. Weston Peick
8. Benny Bloss
9.Christian Craig
10. Justin Barcia
Ironman 450 Race 2
1. Jeffrey Herlings
2. Marvin Musquin
3. Blake Baggett
4. Cole Seely
5. Cooper Webb
6. So Tomac
7. Weston Peick
8.Christian Craig
9. Justin Bogle
10.Dean Wilson
450MX Ironman National Final Standings
1. Jeffrey Herlings 50
2. Marvin Musquin 44
3. Blake Baggett 40
4. Cole Seely 36
5. Cooper Webb 31
6. So Tomac 31
7. Weston Peick 27
8. Christian Craig 26
9. Justin Bogle 22
10. Dean Wilson 20
Photos: Simon Cudby
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