No doubt about it, Kay De Wolf of the Nestaan Husqvarna factory team, will be the future of the MXGP class. The former MX2 world champion, who beat Lucas Coenen in that championship season has all the tools to be as good as Coenen has been on the 450, and only injuries have really stalled his progress on the big bike in 2026.

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In Arnhem last weekend, the 21 year old (he turns 22 in a months time) showed everything we all knew he has and a little more. It wouldn’t be wrong to even say that De Wolf looked better in the sand technically than “The Bullet”, but everyone knows, Herlings is a beast when it comes to pulling out wins in tough situations.

Now, as De Wolf races the final three rounds of the 2026 MXGP championship and then the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, it isn’t difficult for the young Dutchman to look to 2027 and the chance to race Herlings after a good off-season. Here is what De Wolf told the World media after that stunning Battle of Arnhem.

On Jeffrey Herlings

De Wolf: Yes, Jeffrey is the greatest of all time, in MXGP, I think in the whole world, so to be able to even fight against him. Having the words he said to me that I might be here this day, which is a pleasure and that is what I told him. It is amazing to hear that, and it will make me stronger for the future. Eight years ago, I was still watching him and now I am racing against him. It is unreal and I am very pleased with my result.

The Positives

De Wolf: "It was definitely positive. Two weeks ago, I could not even put up a fight against Jeffrey [Herlings], and since then we have worked on my starts, my fitness and several other things, so I am really pleased to be able to fight with him. To beat him in the sand is not easy. I tried everything and a bit more, but we will have to wait another time to beat Jeffrey.

Where Can You Improve

De Wolf: We need to work in the winter and hopefully we can improve the bike a little bit, which we are working really hard for, and I am pretty sure the new bike coming is going to be a big step. I am just looking forward to having a really good winter and working really hard. I think if I have a good winter, I can fight for a world title. That is the ultimate dream, so let’s see.

Using the Clutch On the 450

De Wolf: The 450 is pretty strong and at the Keiheuvel race in Belgium, it’s a super tough track and rough and I think everybody had some hot bikes there and I had never seen a smoking clutch on my own bike. They opened the clutch and smoke was coming out and it was just after the moto, and a lot of bikes were hot. My mechanic opened it and he has been my mechanic for six or seven years now and it’s the first time he ever saw it on my bike. We were laughing about it. I am definitely using the clutch more in the sand on the 450. On hard pack I don’t use the clutch much.

The Arnhem Battle

De Wolf: I was struggling in that second moto, when I was behind Jeffrey and I wasted some energy. I didn’t land on jumps clean; I didn’t flow into the turns clean. I was struggling from my side, because I was pushing so hard. I just gave it all I had and held on for dear life. In the end, I couldn’t hold on anymore and the bike kicked out to the right and my front wheel grabbed a handful of dirt, and I went down. I gave it all I had, so I can go to bed tonight, knowing I did everything I could.

MXoN

De Wolf: I agree with Jeffrey, we are riders and not team managers, and I am looking to Jeffrey, and we have something to say. I think we can put a decent result, and I will fight for my country. I have always had good results in the Motocross of Nations, and I will give it 100% for my country.