Jeffrey Herlings still wants to fill the gap in his list of achievements
'I was lucky, but also unlucky. This is how life remains in balance', Jeffrey Herlings tells Marcel Luyckx of the Brabants Dagblad. The 25-year-old Herlings has won almost everything there is to win in our sport. The Motocross of Nations is the only thing missing. Glenn Coldenhoff and Calvin Vlaanderen will help him fill that void on his record this weekend in Assen! The Brabants Dagblad language with the motocross rider from Oploo about the season and the grand final!
How special is this country competition for you?
“The Nations is the biggest competition of the year. A kind of Olympic Games for motocross. You fight for your country. The fact that it is in our own country this time makes it even better."
It's a team competition. You can share your joys and sorrows with other riders. Normally you are on your own.
“You have to do it together. You can win yourself, but the other two must also be good to have a chance of winning."
Based on the last grand prix, TeamNL is the top favorite on the TT Circuit. Does that add extra pressure?
“There is pressure on me at every GP. Now I feel less pressure, because I don't have to do it alone. I have stood in front of hotter fires."
Have you accelerated your second comeback in the season after the ankle fracture, because the MX of Nations is in your own country?
"I would have always done my best to recover as quickly as possible and get back into action. Both for my sponsors, for my team and for myself. The extra motivation came from the MX of Nations, anyway because it is in our own country."
Are you still bothered by your injuries?
"You shouldn't ask me to run a marathon, but it doesn't bother me in daily life. In the morning when I wake up I feel that my right foot is stiffer. I have to take ten steps before I can walk normally without limping. Okay, I have some limitation. I still feel it is continuously improving. The doctors think that the screws and plates still in them are causing irritation. After the season they will remove all the metal. The week after Assen I will do some more testing. After the new operation I will be out again for four to eight weeks. I would be able to drive again in mid-November. The first GP is not until the end of February, so fortunately there is not much stress."
Do you enjoy a victory more after all the injuries?
“Certainly, especially those last two victories were a lot more emotional. At first it was just finishing every Sunday, then it became a kind of routine. I have come back from an injury before, this one was a very difficult one to deal with."
Have you had mental help to get out of the valley?
“Well, that's it. Life goes on as usual. I don't need any help with it. It's just sports. Life goes on. I tried to make the best of it, to put as much time and energy as possible into recovery. It can make you very depressed, but that won't make it any better."
You crossed yourself on stage in Turkey. Are you religious?
,,Not really. I do think there is something from above. I have come a long way. That gesture was a bit of a thank you upwards. You need a good guardian angel. You need luck in life. I have been very lucky, but also very unlucky. This way life remains somewhat in balance.”
Do you know the text of the Wilhelmus, in case you achieve a historic victory in Assen with TeamNL?
“I have won 86 GPs, so I have heard the Wilhelmus quite often. In the meantime I know the text so softly. I'll try to sing along as best I can."
After a victory, you mention your mother in your acceptance speech, not your father. Are you no longer in contact with him?
"I have a good relationship with my father, but I am closer to my mother. I live five minutes from her, see her every day. She also does a lot for me. I really appreciate and respect that. Then she can also be thanked, because she helped with my success. This year I was home a lot more due to injuries. Maybe that's why she had more work with me."
Can team gold tomorrow make your year better?
"No, you cannot erase the past. It would be a nice ending with two GP victories and the Nations. Then you will go into the winter with a better feeling."
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
By: Marcel Luyckx BD
Photo: #RayArcherPhoto
Also to read
MXMag went to see the Free Energy Trailer in Olmen
The automotive sector is leading the way in vehicle electrification, and now the motorcycle industry is taking a similar step. However, developing a machine intended for competition use is a completely different matter…Robert Fobbe at the start in the USA!
Robert Fobbe will be in action for the first two (2) races of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship! The 23-year-old rider will…Ian Ampoorter makes his return to Portugal
After a lot of injuries, Ian Ampoorter will appear behind the starting gate next weekend. The GasGas rider travels to Agueda in good spirits for the third race of the European Championship…Australia returns to the MXGP calendar!
From 2025, Australia will be back on the FIM MXGP-MX2 World Championship calendar. After 24 years, another Grand Prix 'down-under' will be held and this will happen...
Your reactions