Herlings back at work for title defense!
His fans are eagerly waiting for the NOS | NOC*NSF Sports Gala tomorrow. Then it will be announced who will be Sportsman of the Year. Jeffrey has to compete in the voting against, among others, skating hero Kjeld Nuis and world gymnastics champion Epke Zonderland. With 74 days to go until the first MXGP in Argentina, 'the Bullet' himself has other priorities!
You couldn't ignore it, Jeffrey Herlings regularly mentioned how much the physical and mental sacrifices weighed to dominate as he did in 2018. The 24-year-old superstar won no fewer than 17 GPs in 19 participations. Upon his return from a broken collarbone, Herlings achieved an incredible run of 17 consecutive series victories.
After the MX Of Nations at the beginning of October, the belt came off for the Red Bull-KTM rider. Even a planned holiday to the US with friends was canceled because Jeffrey was tired of traveling. It wasn't until mid-November that Herlings got back on the bike. “It is actually the first time that Jeffrey has taken such a long rest period. Over the past two years it has been difficult to get it off the bike,” laughs Gruebel. “We didn't want to get in his way. He had to completely decompress from this year so he can get hungry again. So that break was definitely a good thing.”
Perhaps a repeat of Herlings' record year is not realistic. Connoisseurs are therefore wondering whether he can demonstrate the same dedication and obsession again this winter to continue his 2018 level. If the four-time world champion can book 2019 GP victories in 17, he would equal Stefan Everts' untouchable record of 101 victories.
However, in the orange camp they are comfortable with it. For Dirk Gruebel and the 'inner circle' of Jeffrey Herlings, there is no doubt: the “Herlings machine” will be ready to run at full speed. “Jeffrey is hungry to prove that his first success in the premier class was not a fluke,” says Gruebel resolutely. Or as Jeffrey himself says: “If you do what you love, you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Tekst: Adam Wheeler/Tom Jacobs
Photos: Ray Archer, Red Bull Content Pool/Marcel Van Hoorn, Niek Intro Facebook: Red Bull Content Pool/Rutger Pauw
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