The first chance for everyone to see Jeffrey Herlings on a HRC factory machine will be at the second round of the Italian International championship, at Mantova on the 8th of February.

The sand circuit of Mantova is a great challenge for the rider many say is the best sand rider of all time, and we will find out how the power is on the HRC machine. While Mantova isn't deep, deep sand, it will give him some idea how he will do the following two weekends, where he will race deeper sand in England and The Netherlands.

The five time world champion will also do the Hawkstone International a week after Mantova and then the Lierop International the week before the opening round of the MXGP championship in Argentina on March 8.

Jeffrey Herlings: We should race Mantova on February 8. That wasn’t my plan, but the team requested I do Mantova, and then a week later its Hawkstone Park and then I will do Lierop the weekend before Argentina. That is pretty much it for now. I know some riders who are riding in this area in Spain and maybe I will message them and try and ride together. Just to see where my speed is and the feeling. Most guys are training and testing in Sardinia and as you know, the weather in Holland is terrible, with a lot of snow. The first test for me will be Mantova.

Bavo Swijgers image