While Jeffrey Herlings finishing second yesterday at Agueda, Portugal, you get the feeling he will be fired up for a victory today. The five time world champion hounded qualification race winner, Lucas Coenen for much of yesterdays MXGP qualifier, but couldn't get close enough to make a pass.

Bavo Swijgers image

"I know that gate pick is important here," Herlings said. "I was just 0.06 seconds off having first gate for the qualifying race. I got a decent jump and then made a couple of quick passes to move into second. I felt my speed was good and I was trying to find a spot to make the move but couldn’t get myself into position. I feel good though and if I can get out in front, I can control the race like I did in Montevarchi."

While Herlings gave it everything he could, he wasn’t quite able to make the pass on this Agueda circuit, instead having to settle for second, but still with a lot of motivation that tomorrow can go even better. He knows that his best chance is to get the holeshot – like he did in Montevarchi – and control the field from the front, but even if he doesn’t, he was looking extremely threatening all moto and with more points on the line, he will be tough to beat.