KTM sanctions Jeffrey Herlings over behavioural issues

KTM Motorsports Department has announced that they intend to sanction MX2 factory rider, Jeffrey Herlings, over certain behavioural issues that occurred during the past two MX2 GP race weekends – including dropping the F-bomb on live television at the GP of Portugal (contains explicit language).

Head of KTM Motorsports, Pit Beirer, made the announcement on Monday and said the Dutch teenager would receive a fine and a warning.

“While Jeffrey’s behaviour was unacceptable we do understand that he was under pressure at the time and we hope that this will be a valuable lesson for him and will help him in his future as a factory rider.” Beirer added that the company felt the sanctions were necessary to send a strong signal to the KTM rider, but also to show respect towards the team’s well-respected competitors in the championship.

Herlings also said he was sorry and that he recognised that the incidents had shown him in a bad light. “I realise that my behaviour was out of line and I accept the sanctions,” he said. “I have to remember that I’m a role model for aspiring young riders and I should behave in a way that they respect me as a person as well as an athlete. Because of this I have asked KTM to donate the money from my fine to an appropriate children’s charity.”

Herlings, who currently leads the MX2 championship, said he would try to deal with any further incidents by being less headstrong and emotional. He said in future he would do his best to behave in way that reflects his position as factory rider in one of the sport’s most recognised professional teams.