The Dutch riders set for Arnhem on 22-23 August gathered at the circuit for a practice day and press meeting, with the MXGP points leader among them.

Jeffrey Herlings had told the paddock in Lommel that a scheduled test with Honda would keep him away from the pre-event day in Arnhem. The Dutchman had other ideas. Aware of what the home Grand Prix means and of his standing in Dutch motocross, he persuaded the team to push the test back, and turned up anyway.

He did not simply attend, either. Herlings was on track for an hour before the official practice session even opened. Nothing was disclosed about the testing programme, though the presence of a Twin Air representative suggested work on the air filter system.

"I will go for the win in Arnhem"

Herlings arrives at his home round with a 104-point championship lead and five races remaining, a margin that would tempt most riders to manage the situation. He has no intention of doing so.

"The safest is to ride with the speed I am used to," he said. "That means that I will go for the win in Arnhem. I respected my contract with KTM, which meant that I could not ride the Honda before January. I started with a standard Honda, followed by the HRC Honda. A lot of effort has been done. My win in the first GP came as a surprise for me. Then Lucas Coenen got stronger and stronger and I had a few DNFs. Lucas is sidelined now, and I know from my own experience how that feels."

He goes into the weekend as the clear favourite at a circuit he won at last year.

MXGP: Coldenhoff will race his home Grand Prix, Van de Moosdijk after a career best

Glenn Coldenhoff finished third in MXGP in 2025 on the factory Fantic, but the move he wanted for this season did not materialise. He is instead racing for Yamaha in the Brazilian championship.

Third in Arnhem a year ago, he is realistic about what a near-standard machine can deliver against the world championship field. "I ride on a near standard Yamaha," he said. "Good starts will be really important to get a good position early in the race. I am aiming for finishing twice in the top ten."

Roan van de Moosdijk, contesting a limited programme with the German Kosak team, rode well at both Loket and Lommel and comes to Arnhem hunting the best Grand Prix result of his career.

MX2: Karssemakers targets the top five

Kay Karssemakers has been a regular around tenth place this season and left Lommel empty-handed after two DNFs. Arnhem is his chance to reset, and he is aiming higher: a top-five finish.

WMX: the Dutch stronghold

Nowhere is the Dutch presence stronger than in WMX. Two-time world champion Lotte van Drunen has had a difficult run of luck and is out of this year's title fight, but Arnhem carries a particular weight for her after losing out to Daniela Guillen on home soil last season. The home Grand Prix is the one result that satisfies her, and she wants to turn last year's disappointment around.

Shana van der Vlist is the leading Dutch rider in the standings in fourth and reached the podium in Germany. She is looking for a repeat in Arnhem, with a strong home result also key to attracting the backing she needs for the long trip to Australia.

Lynn Valk broke her leg at Arnhem twelve months ago and, still restricted in her movement, opted for surgery to have the screws removed, which cost her the Foxhills round. She returns aiming for the podium. Danee Gelissen, who wrapped up the European title this year by winning almost every race, is targeting the top five.

EMX250

Gyan Doensen and Dani Heitink both impressed at Lommel and arrive in Arnhem expecting to fight for the podium.

Who was there

The day was attended by Jeffrey Herlings, Glenn Coldenhoff and Roan van de Moosdijk (MXGP), Kay Karssemakers (MX2), Lotte van Drunen, Shana van der Vlist, Lynn Valk and Danee Gelissen (WMX), and Gyan Doensen and Dani Heitink (EMX250).

Kay de Wolf was unable to attend, with a team travelling from Austria to run him on a prototype of the 2028 Husqvarna, while Scott Smulders had commitments with his German team.

Tickets

Tickets for the MXGP of the Netherlands are available HERE