Will 2024 be Jeffrey Herlings’ season again? According to him, the 2016 season was the last year he rode without feeling the pressure. Even in the successful year of 2018, where he became MXGP World Champion for the first time, the “fear” of losing prevailed. Despite winning 17 out of 20 GPs, he couldn’t enjoy it much. After several seasons partly missed due to injuries, he now realizes that staying healthy and on the bike will be the main goal for 2024.
Before the start of the 2024 season, MX Active caught up with Jeffrey Herlings, who currently is holding an underdog position before the GP action kicks off on March 10th in Argentina. Is this a calculated choice or a deliberate mindset? Either way, he’s more motivated than ever before!
How are you doing after an intensive winter training camp with John van den Berk in Spain? And then followed by training in Italy? How do you look back on these weeks?
Jeffrey: Just like last year, I spent a few weeks with John van den Berk in Spain. In about four weeks, I did about 40 motos of 35 minutes each. Besides the intense training, I had great weeks with John van den Berk in the Southern of Spain.
John van den Berk doesn’t hide his admiration for Herlings: “It’s not normal how motivated he is after all his injuries. I’ve never seen anyone with the motivation he has. Sometimes it seems like he’s a machine. I’ve never seen a rider who still maintains the same lap times after a 45-minute session.”
Sunday march 10th it’s almost 7 months ago since your last Grand Prix in Arnhem, where you picked up an injury on Saturday with a broken collarbone. You missed eight GPs last year. What can you tell us about the start of the 2024 season?
Jeffrey: I’m super motivated for the start of the new season. Since 2018, I haven’t been able to complete a Grand Prix season without missing GPs. That’s my goal for 2024, to try to be fit for every Grand Prix.
Many Dutch fans were looking forward to the MXoN in France 2023, including your participation with Glenn Coldenhoff and Kay de Wolf. What was the reason you didn’t participate in the MXoN?
Jeffrey: I only had permission from the doctor to start riding again on the monday after the MXoN in France. After a successful training session, I was at the start of the beach race in Lemmer. The following weekend, I also participated in the beach race in Vlissingen.
In 2023, you did a podcast with Vital MX. What do you remember most? The “fear” of losing in 2018? Or the 2016 season? The last year you really enjoyed without feeling the pressure to win? What kind of year will 2024 be?
Jeffrey: My feeling right now is that it feels like the 2016 season. I don’t feel the pressure from the fans that I have to win, or else I fail. I’m not the favorite like I was a few years ago. Prado, Gajser, Febvre are the favorites, in my opinion. In 2022, I didn’t participate in the MXGP World Championship due to an injury, and last year, I only finished 8th in the final standings of the World Championship. So, I certainly don’t consider myself among the favorites.
I know you follow American Supercross and Motocross. What do you think about Jorge Prado’s performance in the first four Supercross races he participated in the 450 class among all the Supercross stars?
Jeffrey: It’s going to be a long season for Prado. After a short winter break, he started training to prepare for the Supercross season in America. Among all MXGP riders, he has already participated in the most races as preparation for the World Championship 2024. This could turn out both positively and negatively with a long season of 19 GPs and the MXoN ahead. But Prado is a smart rider, and I’m convinced he knows what’s best for himself.
Who has been the surprise for you so far? How do you keep an eye on the competition?
Jeffrey: Tim Gajser (Honda HRC #243) has had a very strong start to the season in my opinion. His first races in Italy really stood out in terms of his strength.
Aside from Hawktone Park (February 25) and Lierop (March 3), will you be participating in more races before the start of the GP season?
Jeffrey: Hawkstone Park and Lierop will be my only races in preparation for the opening round of the World Championship in Argentina. The 2012 GP in Lierop has always been one of the best memories. It was one of my best and most beautiful GP victories of my career.
Is there still an AMA Pro Motocross outdoor race on the schedule for 2024? The last one at Ironman in 2017 was very successful. For various reasons, another participation hasn’t been possible so far.
Jeffrey: At the moment, there’s no AMA National on the schedule for 2024. Of course, participation in one or more AMA races remains on my wish list.
What would be a positive adjustment for the Motocross World Championship?
Jeffrey: That Infront/MXGP would take a positive example from the AMA Supercross/Motocross/SMX championship.
What are your plans for the 2024 season?
Jeffrey: My goal is hopefully to stand on the podium in some GPs and possibly try to win, and above all, try to stay healthy throughout the entire season. Those are more my goals than my plans, but I will fight incredibly hard to achieve these goals this upcoming season.
The 2024 season has all the ingredients to be even more exciting than the sensational 2021 season, where Herlings clinched his second world title in the MXGP class in a direct title battle between Febvre and Gajser in the very last race of the season.
Tim Gajser got injured in the preseason last year, Febvre showed good results, especialy in the end of the season. Prado took the most advantage from Herlings’ absence in 2023. Within less than three weeks, all these world champions are fit and healthy at the gate in Argentina. Add this riders to the list like Jeremy Seewer, Glenn Coldenhoff, Ruben Fernandez, Maxime Renaux, Jago Geerts (debut in MXGP), Calvin Vlaanderen, Roan van de Moosdijk (debut in MXGP on Fantic), all capable for podium and possibly winning GP’s.
Jeffrey Herlings becomes MXGP world champion for the second time in Mantova, Italy.
Photographer: Ray Archer | KTM