Herlings and Cairoli – Entering Asia

The two riders who are dominating the 2018 MXGP championship. Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings head into Indonesia this coming weekend with the same goal, but they will enter Asia under different circumstances.

With just 12 points separating the two Red Bull KTM Factory riders, we all know that anything can and probably will happen this weekend. Around a circuit both have ridden just once, and with the unknown of weather conditions in that part of the World, it adds another element into the equation.

Herlings carrying a collarbone injury will go in hoping to survive and come out with his red plate intact. The Dutchman knows that it won’t be easy having ridden a lot less (if at all) leading into the two rounds in Indonesia.

“You know,” Herlings said. With this injury, it would have been better to come back in Europe, but I am still going to be in good shape, because my physical work will be the same as always. It isn’t that hot in Europe at the moment, so that will be the same for everyone. Many riders live near Holland or Belgium so it’s going to be tough for everyone, and for sure for me. The first round we just get used to riding again, and we don’t go there to try and dominate like all the other rounds this year. We will just see how it comes and get a fifth if that is all there is. I am very motivated to be back racing and see all the guys. It was painful watching the racing in Ottobiano on television.”

As for Cairoli, just like every year he travels, he looks forward to the experience, and the chance to maybe claw that red plate away from Herlings.

“I like to race far away from home,” Cairoli said. “And also the hot weather I like. I am pretty sure the track will be nice, and we will have good battles.”

So whatever happens in the next two weeks, we can all be sure the two KTM riders will be fighting hard to gain momentum, and whoever comes out of Asia with the red plate will be looking strong to take out the 2018 championship.