Red Bull KTM's Jeffrey Herlings clinches first MXGP title
By Press Release on 18th Sep 18
KTMs Jeffrey Herlings has won the MXGP Motocross World Championship at the penultimate round in front of his home fans in Assen, The Netherlands.
It has been a memorable season in which Herlings has won 16 of 19 rounds during the series, clinching his fourth world title and KTMs seventh win in the MXGP category.
KTM riders have led the way in both the FIM MXGP and the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship classes this year, and in the MXGP category it was Herlings and Tony Cairoli battling from the start of the season, with Herlings taking at least a podium finish at every round he has raced so far.
It was an incredible story for the Dutch star, as mid-season Herlings defied the odds by returning from a collarbone injury sustained in a practice crash that forced him to miss a round of the series, to truly dominate the second half of the championship earning 14 1-1 moto finishes in total.
A warrior in all conditions, 24-year-old Herlings only finished lower than second place in a moto once all season while winning 31 of the 36 motos he has raced, and the KTM ace clinched the title after the first moto in Assen. KTM has won all but one of the 38 motos this season.
The Dutch ace is only the third rider to have won both MX2 and MXGP World Championship medals, and it was an emotional moment for The Bullet to win his first MXGP series victory in his homeland.
Jeffrey Herlings: It has been an amazing day and it was a blessing to be in my shoes. Everyone had been saying enjoy the day but it just went! To do this in front of my home crowd here at the TT Circuit Assen is amazing: a special day and it was nice to do it in style.
I pretty much led the whole of the first moto and then in between races it was hard to stay focussed because there are many friends, family, sponsors who want to congratulate you and I couldnt really do my normal routine!
I tried to pass Glenn in the second moto but I went down and had to pick up from 10l talent, he has matured into a rider that is nothing short of incredible.
Of course, when he was injured in the middle of the season we were concerned, but while we have seen so many victories this year we should not forget the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, from Jeffrey himself and all of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team.
Id like to thank everyone who contributed to this success, and KTMs seventh title win in MXGP, but especially Id like congratulate Jeffrey for his approach and determination to achieve this goal and his fourth world title. This is a poignant moment for us and we will certainly be celebrating together.
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