Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Jeffrey Herlings had probably his toughest GP victory in his career last weekend as he went 2-1 and claimed yet another GP win. The Dutchman had bad starts and struggled in the difficult conditions. Here are his comments from the podium press conference on Saturday night.
Q: Jeffrey, you got the win, but are you unhappy about the performance? How do you feel?
Herlings: I made it tough for myself. I had terrible starts and it was just me, not the bike. Jordi had some good starts and I had good starts on Friday, so it’s just me and I need to improve that. I haven’t spent much time on the bike in the last six months, like the shoulder problems then my leg, and it was difficult to come through the pack. The first moto I was close to winning and second moto it was again difficult to pass and my riding wasn’t good at all and I really wasn’t happy with that. I will go home to Holland and ride a little more. Try and regroup and train. I will be stronger soon and get some better results.
Q: Getting this GP out of the way and a little more bike time, that will obviously help you for a better performance in Thailand next weekend, or not?
Herlings: I think Thailand is better for passing. In Qatar it was hard to pass and the track in Thailand will be more difficult. I am seven points ahead in the championship points, and got the overall and I will go to Thailand and put KTM back on the box.
Q: You had to fight hard for your wins, a lot of guys kept you thinking?
Herlings: Second moto Febvre passed me, and I am not used to that and I have respect for him he is a clean rider. I had to work hard to get him back. I noticed I missed that extra five minutes at the end of the race, but I will get used to it.
Q: Do you feel like you are a giant and all these guys are like little people trying to stick pins in you and pull you down?
Herlings: For sure (it is difficult being the top guy), the other competitors are all trying to beat me or pass me and I know that. I have won two titles in a row and won a lot of GPs and its hard with the pressure, but it’s my job and I have a great team behind me and I am sure I can do it and if I stay injury free I should be okay and I got it on top of the box and I just need more time to ride.
Q: What about Max Anstie and his performance. Did he surprise you?
Herlings: Max (Anstie) rode a great GP, I was closing on him and I was three or four seconds off, but I came from 15th and he took the holeshot, his bike is really strong, maybe the strongest bike out there and he is coming from a slower bike in the Suzuki to the bike he has this year. He did a great job and obviously DNFed both motos, but at the end of the day I won and that’s in the books.
Q: What made the circuit difficult, to come back from your bad starts?
Herlings: I had big problems overtaking the riders, couldn’t find lines and was riding badly. When I came in after the second moto the team said I did a good job, but I didn’t, I told them I didn’t do a good job. I am used to beating these guys easily and it’s strange battling hard against them. I just need more time and I want to be better.
