There was a time, he was the fastest man on the planet. From around 2016 until 2021, before his season of not racing due to yet another injury, no man could beat him if he was fit. When he was fit was the problem, because between the world titles and GP wins, he spent a hell of a lot of time on the couch.

In my mind, he should have been the GOAT, and it all came down to his preperation, which probably helped and hindered him. Working harder than anyone else in the sport, day after day, after day on the bike, speed that was blinding fast and a desire to destroy his opposition. At times he even made the likes of Eli Tomac, Antonio Cairoli and Tim Gajser look average.

We don't really know what Jeffrey Herlings we are going to get in 2026, but you can count on one thing, he isn't leaving a stone unturned on his quest for a sixth world motocross championship.

What I do know, he looks cleaner and classier now on his new bike, in his new gear and the fact the HRC photo shoot (for action pics) was washed out and we have hardly seen a good action photo of "The Bullet", just makes his arrival in Argentina and the opening round of the MXGP championship that much more of a mystery.

Bavo Swijgers image