HERLINGS – IN TRAINING

No doubt, one of the most exciting riders in the sports history and many would say the best sand rider ever, Red Bull KTM factory rider, Jeffrey Herlings knows that he is getting to the end of what is a sensational career.

Five World Motocross Championships and the record for the most Grand Prix victories, with 112, he is simply one of the sports biggest legends. Now in the off-season and with a new team for 2026, everyone is keeping their eyes on January 1, when that team will be announced.

For now, the rider simply knowns as “The Bullet” does some light training and keeps himself from having to work even harder in January, when he will also start the testing period and serious training.

“Still takes three months before we race again,” Herlings said. “I am just taking it easy and trying to be in shape. I just ride to start testing in January or whatever. The weather has been good in Holland. I mean, this point of the year its boring with practice, because we have no goal. I don’t need to shine until February or March, but I enjoy doing the races as practice track riding is a bit boring and I just enjoy doing the races in Holland, France, Germany or wherever. It gives me a mental boost that I do more races than the competition.”

His work ethic will never be questioned, and he does more races in a season (when fit), than any other athlete in the sport. For now, though, its just light work and preparing himself for what is going to be a massive 2026 season.

“I do two to three trainings a day and then bootcamp in January and February, which is pretty tough. Right now, I just train once a day, low heart rate and middle of December until middle of February I will work harder. Our season ended a month ago and I know I need to train a bit, so I don't get chubby.”

The 2025 season was not one of his best, with two injuries costing him a chance of being world motocross champion for the sixth time, but he knows, despite his body getting older, he still is more than capable of winning in 2026.

“This year I came in recovering from my ACL. I knew I had to work my way back into fitness and then I came back and broke my collarbone and then came back and won some GPs and did okay. I have been trying for four years now (to win number six), and I keep getting injured. I think its still possible and I am not getting any younger, but I have a lot of motivation, and I keep trying to do my best.”

So, now we wait, as the news on January 1 will make what is going to already be a huge season, with many riders changing bikes and riders coming up from the MX2 class, including two former world MX2 champions in Kay de Wolf and Andrea Adamo. Bring it on Mr Herlings, everyone is waiting for your news.

Photo credit: KTM