We all knew it was coming, but when the press release arrived today about Jeffrey Herlings leaving KTM, I got to admit, I got a little emotional. The Herlings and KTM combination has been a relationship where loyalty has never been a question. Both gave each other a lot, Herlings gave KTM five world motocross championship, a hell of a lot of highlight reels and major world exposure.

Nobody in the sports history has been as explosive, exciting and fast as “The Bullet” and I would still put him up against Ricky Carmichael, Stefan Everts, James Stewart, Antonio Cairoli, and even Jett Lawrence when it comes to all out speed.

KTM of course, backed the Dutchman, even in times when Herlings was out injured. Yes, injuries are a major part of the sport, but as much as he was maybe the fastest motocross rider of all time, he was also the most fragile.

The major memories Herlings and KTM gave us go all the way back to that first Grand Prix victories, at Valkenswaard in 2010, just his fourth Grand Prix and just 15 years old. Of course, his 50th GP, his 100th GP, his 102nd GP and all those that followed place him deeper and deeper in the motocross record books.

His MXoN victory with The Netherlands at the Assen held event in 2019, his victory at the AMA Nationals at Ironman in 2017, and his countless victories around the world make him more than just a little special. Not doubt, the most polarized rider in the sports history in my opinion.

In my opinion, he should have also been a world champion in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022, but again, injuries made sure he didn’t get the gold on those occasions. He also had a shot at being the world champion in 2023, 2024 and 2025, but as he aged, he was at times the fastest, but his speed wasn’t what it was, and his injuries remained consistent.

Now, as he leaves the orange army behind and moves onto his next goal, we all sit and wait in excitement, first for the official announcement of his new team, but we also wait for the 2026 season.

A sixth world title would make him the third most successful rider (statistically) ever and to do it on a new bike, in a new team, well, that sure would be the perfect ending, to what has been a career we have all loved to watch.

Here is a cool Ray Archer (another Grand Prix legend) gallery of the Herlings/KTM combination.