Motocross racer Jeffrey Herlings made an impression on his return to MXGP on Sunday. After a year without racing due to a broken heel, the motocross rider from Oploo finished second on Sunday at the opening race in Argentina on his KTM, behind the Spanish winner Ruben Fernandez.
Before the race, Herlings said that he did not want to go all out right away and that the first races in MXGP will be about building up. But despite his intentions, he successfully reported back to the front. He finished fourth behind Spaniard Jorge Prado in the first moto. In the second moto, Herlings finished second behind Fernandez.
“It got better every race.”
“I pre-signed for this,” said the two-time world champion in the premier motocross class. Herlings felt better day by day in Argentina.
“I haven’t raced against these guys for 16 months. You shouldn’t underestimate this class either. I’ve done hundreds and thousands of training laps lately, but nothing compares to a real race. Every race it got better and it’s then certainly not bad to finish second. Now it’s especially important to get into the race rhythm.”
“We know that Jeffrey is capable of this and more.”
Team manager Tony Cairoli was also pleased with Herlings’ performance. “It’s great that Jeffrey was back on the podium right away. We know he’s capable of this and more. Good for him to be back at this level so quickly.”
The second game of the season is scheduled in two weeks, in Italy.
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