While the Jeffrey Herlings domination era might be over, or coming to an end, do not be surprised to see the best sand racer of all-time, blast to victory this coming weekend, at the tough sand circuit on the outskirts of Arnhem in The Netherlands.

With 14 Dutch riders in the MXGP class, and seven in MX2, there will be more than enough racers to light up the spectator area, for what is expected to be a huge crowd. Nine Dutch women will be racing the women’s world championship round and 12 Dutch men in EMX250.

The track that was built from nothing by one of Herlings childhood sponsors and a crowd that will be hanging over the fences, this Grand Prix is going to be sensational. While Arnhem is a tight little venue, I think anyone who doesn’t know the area of the circuit, will appreciate what it took to get a motocross circuit there.

The Dutch are not a people who do things by halves and the Motorsportpark Gelderland Midden, is built in the middle of a nature area, that is usually not only off limited to a motocross track but is protected like no other area in the Netherlands, yet here we have a motocross track.

With tracks closing around Europe, and for sure in places like Belgium and Holland, a passionate motocross fan Dik Wikselaar has built something very special. The Motorsport Park Gelderland Midden is a rather new facility, build six years ago and already it’s future looks bright.

“We have one of the best circuits on the calendar with this circuit, when it comes to action and the possibility of a large crowd in a tight area, which makes for great atmosphere. It might end up having its own legacy, similar to Valkenswaard or Lierop in the past,” said MXlarge.com web site editor Geoff Meyer. “Similar to Kegums in Latvia or Lugo in Spain, the surroundings are magnificent, it has great dirt, the perfect area for a tight knit crowd and a design that makes very exciting races. Not to mention, built right next to a freeway it has easy access, and the bustling, interesting city of Arnhem just down the road. Arnhem is of course famous for its part in world war II and the famous war film, "A Bridge Too Far", film based on the operation market garden operation."

Operation Market Garden was a failed Allied military operation during World War II, taking place in the Netherlands from September 17-25, 1944. It involved a combined airborne and ground offensive aimed at securing key bridges across the Rhine and other rivers to create a corridor into Germany. The operation was ultimately unsuccessful, with the Allies failing to capture the bridge at Arnhem. The Airborn Museum is well worth a look.

For those looking for night life, try the Korenmarkt, a square full of cool cafes. Or also the Rijnkade, which has a selection of places to eat and drink along the Rijn river. Both very cool area's for a night out.

With world MX2 champion, Kay De Wolf trying to close to gap to series leader Simon Langenfelder, and that group of Dutchmen in MXGP, led by Herlings, you just know there will be something special happening this coming weekend.

From Herlings and de Wolf, to Glenn Coldenhoff, Calvin Vlaanderen, Brian Bogers and Rick Elzinga, the sand specialists from The Netherlands will be out in force and ready to give the fans something to celebrate.

With Valkenswaard, Lierop, Oss and many other Dutch circuits no longer available, this circuit in Arnhem is important for the country’s future with MXGP rounds and with a contract signed for another two years after this year’s event, the short-term future is assured.

Herlings is of course the defending Arnhem winner, having won there in 2024, but he will without doubt want to celebrate with his orange army, on an orange bike. It will be his last home race on a KTM machine, and he will want to end what has been a sensational MXGP of The Netherlands with yet another victory.

As for de Wolf, victory is the only answer as he tries to close the points gap to the German, Langenfelder. A double Dutch victory, with one of the Dutch women also adding their name to the ladies trophy would be a nice way to end what should be an exciting weekend.

The question is, will the MXGP of The Netherlands be a bridge too far for current series number two riders, Lucas Coenen and Kay De Wolf as they try and pull back the large points leads of Romain Febvre and Simon Langenfelder?