Jeffrey Herlings interview

MX2 world champion Jeffrey Herlings finally showed signs of his old self last weekend at the Grand Prix of Europe. The Flying Dutchman produced a runner-up finish and nearly scored the overall. While his 3-3 results was a long way from his sizzling MX2 performances at Valkenswaard, where he had won seven GPs on the trot, his confidence is building and it shouldn’t be too much longer before we see him on the top step of a Grand Prix podium.

After his performances last weekend, he talked about Valkenswaard, and he gave his opinion of his season so far.

Q: How do you feel after finally making the podium after such a tough first five rounds?

Herlings: We did finish second, but the disappointing thing was we had the speed to win. I think I was the fastest guy. We are working so hard with the team, putting the bike upside down to try whatever I ask for. I really want to thank the team, they did a great job and they delivered me one of the best bikes, or maybe the best bike out there. The only thing we need to improve is the starts. We have the confidence, but we need to get starts. We need good starts every time.

Q: It’s a big struggle to get through after a bad start, isn’t it?

Herlings: I wanted to be in Gautier’s spot, but I felt close today to the win and that is good, but for the Dutch fans I felt for them. We got second, and that is like a win for me at the moment. I think I came from outside the top ten in the first moto and 15th in the second moto, and all these guys are fast. It’s been a good day and I just want to work from here.

Q: But it’s a big improvement on some of the other Grand Prix?

Herlings: We came to Qatar with a broken hand, and we were riding, but we couldn’t ride how I liked to, with so much pain. In the second round as well, then I couldn’t ride for five weeks almost. We went from GP to GP and I felt terrible, I even felt embarrassed. Now I have been back on the bike for a couple of weeks, and I am pain free, so that is positive. Now we can work on getting better and better.

Q: What have you learnt about the MXGP class?

Herlings: These guys are super-fast and during the winter, I didn’t expect them to be so fast. MXGP is like all-out war, from the start of the race until the end. That is something we are not used to, but I think we will get there. We are back on the speed, now we need to get the starts sorted. Gautier is on the same bike as is Tony and they pull one after the other holeshots.

Q: How can you get onto that top step of the podium?

Herlings: I just have to get it all together and once we have that I think we are on a good way. For sure the championship is over, but maybe we can get top five. I have been winning here seven years in a row and even though I have had a bad season, they expected me to be on the podium and that is what I did.

Author:

Geoff Meyer