MxLarge Story
Jeffrey Herlings interview - Catching Up
Interview Tuesday 12th April 2011 By Geoff Meyer
Jeffrey Herlings is one rider who can win on any given day, but is just slightly off the pace of the two FIM World MX2 front runners Ken Roczen and Tommy Searle. Herlings of the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory team knows that it’s going to be hard work to run with Roczen, but he feels he can pick up the pace a little and give Searle a run for second place in the Championship.
We caught up with the 16 year old last weekend and asked him about his weekend.
MXlarge: Jeffrey, it seems as though Ken is just too quick. What is your opinion?
Herlings: I couldn’t handle his speed yet, I haven’t raced much, just a couple of Dutch races and an Italian race. It was a tough weekend for me, the first race I had some technical problems with the gearbox which lost me a couple of positions, which cost me valuable points. I managed to finish in fourth, which I wasn’t happy with, but it had nothing to do with my riding. The second moto was much better, during the race was good, just the last laps I slowed down a bit and just cruised, but I finished third and I am third in the Championship.
MXlarge: What is your goal at this moment of the season?
Herlings: I am really going to focus on being second in the World Championship, Ken is too fast for me at the moment and I will just try and beat Tommy. Tommy is really fast at the moment, but I think on a good day I can stay with him and in the sand I think I can beat him and close up some points.
MXlarge: It seemed really hard to make up time last weekend. What is your opinion of the track?
Herlings: Of course this track is simple and easy and it’s not going to make a big different at this track, or at least not like a track like Lierop where you lap up to fifth place. Tommy was fast and Ken also, and for sure Ken is the guy to beat, in my eyes he will be the World Champion this year.
MXlarge: Ken seems to have improved and picked up his pace. Did that surprise you? Did his racing Supercross help him prepare for here?
Herlings: I don’t know, if Marvin wasn’t here last year Ken would have also pulled away from everyone. I think the Supercross helped him out, but he won because he is just so fast.
MXlarge: I noticed you had some pain yesterday after the heat race, what happened there?
Herlings: I hurt my thumb in the heat race. I jumped into a bump and twisted it. I didn’t have any problem with it. Also my fitness was also good. I just have to keep it that way and do my best.
MXlarge: What is going to be important this year, what do you need to be good at?
Herlings: I don’t know, I have learnt to stay consistent. Tommy and Ken are both consistent and I have to do the same otherwise they will get well away from me. I just need to work on my speed and hopefully stay in front of Ken in the sand and get some points back. I want to beat him in the sand.
MXlarge: Last year you went into Valkenswaard and had the day of your life. How will it be this year?
Herlings: In two weeks in Valkenwaard I want to get five to ten points on Tommy and get into second in the Championship. Everyone expects me to win because it is sand, but I am going to go out and have fun and I can’t be faster than I am, just do my best.
MXlarge: After your win in Valkenswaard you lost track a little didn’t you?
Herlings: I really learnt a lot about myself when I was in contention for the Championship. I started thinking ahead of myself and I don’t want to make that same mistake this year, I need to think about that to keep myself in a good frame of mind.
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