Q: How did you start racing Motocross?

Herlings: Basically because of my father, he was racing and I went to watch him. I loved it, and the noise of the bikes was fantastic. I just loved all about motocross. And then on my fourth birthday I received a small bike. Ever since then I just loved to ride. Here we are now 10 years after and I still love to ride the bike.

Q: When did you first race the European Championship – any memories of your debut?

Herlings: I was nine years old and I raced my first European Championship EMX-65. In my first year I finished third. My best season in European had been last year on the EMX-85, I became Dutch Champion, Junior World Champion, German Champion and of course European Champion.

Q: Do you reckon the European Championship to be a professional and well organized series?

Herlings: Yes for sure, it is like a mini GP to me, it is real professional and really cool to race there. I am still looking forward to racing the GP's next year, then my dream will come true.

Q: Do you think this series is the base to start a professional career?

Herlings: This is the main base because just as I said it is like an mini GP. You have the professional looking podium, the final press conference, the teams, the teams’ trucks, a good media coverage, many journalists and the TV program, just like at GPs. So for me this series is the start to a professional career.

Q: Do you think the media and TV attending the European Championship are important to the sport and to your career as well?

Herlings: They are indeed. Many people watch internet and the television. When sponsors or other people see it, some will like it and they will come to watch the races. Maybe some will become new sponsors and the more people come watch, the better it is because the sport will get more attention and that's what it is all about.

Q: Do you think that being successful at the European Championship helps in getting a contract with an important World Championship team or manufacturer?

Herlings: When you are good in the European Championship, you can race top 15 in GP's. Like Ken Roczen, he did two European Championship races and he won once. The other race he finished fourth and now half of the season he went on to the GP's. He already won and normally the top European riders get a good contract for the year after. So that’s great, and luckily KTM gave me the chance to race for their big Team next year. I can’t thank them enough for this offer and I hope my results will speak for that. I hope other riders will find a good contract too.

Q: What do you think about the quality of riders this year?

Herlings: They are good and strong. Now I’m still 34 points behind Charlier in the EMX2 European Championship and it is hard to close the gap. But you know, the top five riders are there every race and they are really strong this year. For sure Charlier is real strong and I think the series will have even better riders in the future. Everything that Youthstream has done for us is great, with the television program, press things, so I would advice to all the young riders, if you don’t have a contract for the GP, then go to race to the EMX2 European Championship. It is really good over here.

Q: You came from EMX-85 to EMX2. Which are the main differences you found?

Herlings: The bike is different in a positive way, the riders are faster and the MX2 is more in the media then the 85. But you have to train more and you need to do many test sessions to get that second that makes you finish first or maybe 10th. But it's a good experience and I still love to race. So that keeps motivating me and I look forward to stepping up to the GP's next year. I couldn’t do it without my sponsors, my parents, Pit Beirer and Stefan Everts who gave me the chance to live my dreams. I just thank everyone.

Q: How was the move to KTM?

Herlings: When I moved to KTM, that was the best for me and just as everyone knows KTM is the fastest and best bike and I wouldn’t race in KTM without Pit Beirer and Stefan Everts. They gave me the chance to ride for them and I really want to thank them for their offer and I want just to do my best this year. For sure in the next four years of my contract with KTM, I step on to the GP's next year and race for the Red Bull KTM Team. I want to put down some good results for me, for the team and just give my best for next year.