On the cusp of World motocross championship number six, Jeffrey Herlings again put on a show that reminds us just how good this guy is. A 1-1-1 at the Arnhem circuit in The Netherlands, “The Bullet” looks as fast as ever and even under huge pressure from his understudy, Kay de Wolf, the veteran HRC man came out on top.

With his 122nd GP victory and just weeks away from that sixth world motocross championship, Herlings will slide into third place on the all-time list for Grand Prix riders, only behind Stefan Everts and Antonio Cairoli. In his current form, it is possible he can put a run together and score more titles in 2027 and 2028?

He is up for it and in negotiations for a new contract with HRC, to extend his career another two or three years. The fastest sand rider in the world, sat down with the world media and below is what he told us.

Bavo Swijgers images

How was His weekend

Herlings: It was a really good GP. I mean, I think with the speed I had today, I wish number five was in optimal condition. I honestly thought we would have something better today. We saw the gap between the second and third riders was pretty big. We know each other (Herlings and de Wolf), but we have to race hard, but there is mutual respect. We came close, but never like anything crazy, I wanted to win, he wanted to win. Kay is good in the sand. I think this is my fourth of fifth 1-1-1 in a row. Since Foxhill, I have never been beaten. Three to go and we are like 140 points in front, so its coming close.

Racing at Home

Herlings: I have all my family, fans, friends, almost all my sponsors over, even my doctors and surgeons. So many friends over and it’s difficult to focus with all the media and things going on, also all the team meetings and things going on. I have been doing this for a long time, so I know how to work with it. It is nice, but also difficult. To make this number 17, I don’t think anyone has ever won their home GP 17 times. Plus, we only have one home GP a year, while in Italy, they get three of four a year. I am very happy and want to thank all the media, fans and friends. We did a great job with the team. We made a big step with the bike. In Lommel, we were struggling, but here it was perfect. Looking forward to the next one.

17 GP Wins at Home

Herlings: It would be great. We won 10 GPs this year, out of 17 right now. Outside the DNFs, I haven’t been outside the top three in Sunday races. I was third twice, otherwise first or second, so I have been very consistent. It does bring some pressure in the team, but nobody spoke about the championship. There is a lot of experience, and we just focus from race to race. Now its time to think about the championship. We are now more than 140 points in front, so only an injury can stop us. We need to be smart, but when you are alive, everything is a risk.

Bike Issues in Moto One

Herlings: It wasn’t something mechanical. I think it was a stone or something (between the sprocket). About a month ago I had the same thing, where a stone got stuck between the sprocket. That is why I knew I had to get off and just move the bike back and forward. Put the bike in neutral and just move it. I thought the rear brake was the problem. I was lucky I didn’t give up on that last lap, because so I had like 10 seconds and then I knew what it was, so I could fix the problem quickly.

Similar to 2018

Herlings: The second part of the year yes (similar to 2018). I am still ashamed that Lucas got hurt, because I feel like I got something from that. I am not saying I am beating him every single time, but I feel like I can fight with him now. I don’t know if he goes to the next three GPs, because the big rumour is he is going to America next year. It would be a shame not to race him in the near future, because at the beginning of the year, he was the man to beat. I beat him on occasions, but he started better than I was. 2018 I was better, but I feel like the competition wasn’t as strong as it is today. In 2018 I was only fighting a 32/33-year-old Antonio Cairoli, but now I am facing a lot of young guns, facing Lucas Coenen, Kay De Wolf, Tim Gajser. Romain Febvre. It was basically just me and Lucas winning motos. I think Tom won one and Tim won one. If you take away Lucas, I would have won almost all the races. Right now, I feel like 2018, but the beginning of the year, I was not on that level, but I feel like now, I am pretty close and I am almost 10 years older.

Racing for So Long

Herlings: Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning and I am sitting in my garage, its weird, but I still have so much passion for doing it. Yes, I like money, I am not going to lie, but, at the same time, I am not racing for money anymore. I can have a great life if I stop tomorrow. At the same time, I still enjoy the sacrifice. I still want to be at the top. I have nothing to prove. I have won the most motos, the most GPs, without injuries, I probably had the most championships. Many times, I was leading by a big margin, so I have nothing to prove to anyone, but I still wake up every morning with the same desire to be the best I can be. Even now, we are considering extending the contract. I am like an old bulldog that doesn’t want to give up.

MXoN And Team the Netherlands

Herlings: If I was team-manager, I would put my and Glenn Coldenhoff on a Yamaha 250 factory bike. I truly think, if Kay and I can stay on this level and one good result from the MX2 guy, we could go for a victory. It is easy, no, but I think we can win. Spain will be strong. France will be strong, depends who America send, but I truly think we can (at least) be on the podium.