MX2 Champs on Herlings

The current MX2 World Champion Jorge Prado, and 2004 MX2 Champion Ben Townley have a lot in common. A world championship each, both under the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing colors and both had a dream to enjoy their racing.

Prado, who rides for the Claudio De Carli team has watched many MXGP races this year, and even more video highlights from the 450 class. He knows one day he will race against current MXGP Champion Jeffrey Herlings, and knows that if he wants to be competitive, he needs to learn from the master.

“Well,” Prado said. “Every time I watch every single rider, I try and get the best out of it. Jeffrey was the best guy this year and that is why he won. He has some things that are very good and I try and learn from those things, because one day I will be racing with him. I don’t know, it is hard to say. I mean, he is strong, very fit guy and his speed is very good. He has the perfect package at the moment and at the moment he is the best guy, so everything he does is good.”

Townley, now retired also watches his share of highlight reels from the MXGP championships as he sits on his couch at home in New Zealand. The former MX2 champion is amazed at what Herlings can do on a bike and is excited any time he watches the Dutchman go around.

“It is incredible,” Townley said. “You don’t see it very often in life where somebody is clearly that much faster at times than what you would call the best riders in the World. It does become fascinating and he is so mentally strong and the diversity at times, to continue to ride at that level and he has done that year after year with injuries and its very impressive what he can withstand with the pain. He obviously has an amazing determination internally. He grew up having such a strength in sand and was very good at that, but now he rides like that over all the conditions. I am sometimes lost for words what he is able to do on a motorcycle. It is very impressive.”

Comparing eras is a dangerous thing, but Townley has raced against the great Stefan Everts, and knows a little more than most about the qualities of the Belgian legend. A wow factor is something Townley has had watching both riders’ race.

“I think there is a difference there, with the WOW factor. Stefan was very calculating with what he did. He made it look so easy at times, with the way he was able to move the bike and his technique was amazing in that time. With Herlings, it’s just raw speed. He just flies past riders. When you talk about that WOW, I remember watching the highlights package from Lommel and he was coming up to lap some top GP riders, some experiences riders, and seeing the difference on how he approached a section and go through it, that was a WOW moment for me. He was able to go through a section with so much ease and that was just talent.”

So now, with an off-season to prepare for 2019, we all know that Herlings will come into the new season even better prepared and an improved version of the 2018 Jeffrey Herlings. Now that is something to look forward to, not just for Prado and Townley, but for all of us.