[News]

Herlings crowned 2018 MXGP Champion

6 years ago | Photos: MXGP / KTM Images

In front of a home-crowd at Assen’s TT Circuit in The Netherlands, Jeffrey Herlings secured his first premier-class FIM Motocross World Championship title over the weekend, becoming the first Dutchman to do so for 30 years. It’s the fourth World Championship title that “The Bullet” has captured since embarking on his professional racing career with the Red Bull KTM outfit back in 2010 at the tender age of 15.

After 19 Grands Prix (of which he contested 18) and 36 motos, Herlings has won 16 and 31, respectively, and never finished lower than third in those 36 starts. He has dropped only 17 points all season and boasts a 100% podium record in just his second season in the MXGP category. It was also Herlings’ seventh Grand Prix triumph in a row and 14th moto success; he was last beaten in Indonesia in July.

“It was a blessing to be in my shoes,” said Herlings. “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 focused because there are many friends, family and sponsors who want to congratulate you and I couldn’t really do my normal routine!”

“It was a great day and it has been a special year,” Herlings continued. “I have to give it up to Red Bull KTM; we’ve been together through this all the way so a big thanks to all the team and all the guys at the factory. Going 1-1, winning the championship, home crowd – enough said.”

Tony Cairoli sealed the position of number two for 2018, meaning Red Bull KTM has classified 1-2 for the second consecutive year. The Sicilian has finished on the rostrum 14 times despite dealing with small injuries to his thumb, hand and knee, and raised his runner-up trophy thanks to a 2-2 finish at Assen. Cairoli praised his younger teammate, stating: “We have to work if we want to keep up with him and it’s an honour to finish behind Jeffrey because he is the fastest rider in the world at the moment; I didn’t finish second to a slow guy.”

Click here to check out the highlights from the 2018 MXGP of The Netherlands.

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