Jeffrey Herlings focuses on the end goal this year
In 2018, Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM) was responsible for one of the most dominant campaigns in the history of the Motocross World Championship. Due to two injury-riddled seasons, the 26-year-old superstar has not been able to achieve the same superiority since.
Due to this special situation, the four-time world champion now mainly opts for regularity. Herlings' priority is first and foremost the end result after the 19 planned rounds instead of individual victories.
Jeffrey has booked an MX2010 or MXGP Grand Prix every year since he made his World Championship debut as a 15-year-old in 2. That number dropped to just 2 and 4 in 2019 and 2020 respectively, when he completed fewer than ten GPs. Due to a broken leg (twice) and a neck injury, Herlings had to watch from the sidelines for a long time and finished 19th and 12th respectively.
The Red Bull KTM pilot is now explicitly aiming for the end goal for 2021. However, 'the bullet' also made similar plans last year. In contrast to last season, he is now in better physical shape. Because the metal screws and bolts that he was fitted for his right foot in 2019 were removed, Herlings is more like his old self. That fixation in his foot affected Jeffrey due to a lack of flexibility and feeling. In fact, problems with his foot contributed to the fall he suffered in Italy in September.
The ambitious Brabander previously indicated that he still has his sights set on Stefan Everts' record number of GP victories. Everts has 101 GP victories, Herlings currently has 90.
However, chasing victories at all costs will not be enough for 'the bullet'. After all, a complete and strong campaign comes first.
“Obviously I haven't been able to finish most of the races in recent years so that has to be a big goal for me,” he said of the 2021 season. “I have to be there everywhere and I don't know if that means I will be at the front every time, as has been the case in the past. But if I can try to be consistent every time I start then hopefully I can claim the podium at the end of the year.”
Since switching to the premier class in 2017, 'the Bullet' has collected the most GP victories. Over the past five years, Jeffrey has won 29 out of 75. He shares the record number of series victories with Tim Gajser. They both have 54 of the 185 heats to their name in the same period.
Tekst: Adam Wheeler & Tom Jacobs
Photos: KTM Images / Red Bull Content Pool, Ray Archer
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