Red Bull KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings is angry.
In the first Moto of the season finale at the MXGP of Castilla la Mancha in Cozar, the legendary Herlings was pushed off the track. He re-entered at what he felt was the safest spot, but he was docked three spots after the race.
This did not sit well for the five-time World Champion.
“You know the track today, what is this? Is this a motocross track or a club meeting?” Herlings said in the post race press conference. “One thing that I want to say about today that I believe is not right, the first moto I got pushed off of the track. They docked me by three positions, even though I went in the first safest spot. The FIM is responsible for our health and they have water hoses, electric cables, and big rocks. I didn’t even gain a position and they still docked me by three. when we ask for every protest they say please give us the 650 euro, we will not change the result. I think it’s a bit disrespectful. So, sorry for the critics, but respect for our riders is rising. I think I’m one of the only riders to step up for us riders.”
Herlings went in even further…
“I’m sorry to say, but this is not World Championship value anymore,” Herlings said. “I can understand why a lot of riders go to the US and if I would be their age I would take the first plane tomorrow morning and I would do the same thing.”
Herlings is 30-years-old, so we can finally put the thought of him coming over to race full time to bed. However, it would be cool to see.
The Red Bull KTM rider finished 3-1 in the finale, but was docked to finish 6-1 on the day. Herlings finished third in the MXGP standings behind champion Jorge Prado and Tim Gajser.
Herlings enters 2025 on the final year of his current two-year deal with the Red Bull KTM team.
I’ll leave you with some food for thought this afternoon…could we see him race in the United States more because of this frustration?
What do you make of Red Bull KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings’ comments over the weekend? pic.twitter.com/0nJZ5hCUrR
— Dirtbikelover (@Dirtbike_Lovers) October 1, 2024
