MXGP Insider No.36 presented by Kawasaki – Herlings’ Turmoil

Geoff Meyer

Welcome to our web-exclusive weekly column: Transmoto’s MXGP Insider, presented by Kawasaki.

Current FIM World Motocross Championship red plate holder in the MX2 class, Jeffrey Herlings, has had one rough time of late. I can’t remember any other rider who has lead the MX2 class (formally 125cc) while having to deal with as much drama as the Dutchman has had to throughout 2012. On his way back to fly out of Moscow after the Grand Prix of Russia on Sunday, the Red Bull KTM Factory rider was involved in a terrible car accident, which lead to landing in hospital with a heavy concussion and requiring stitches in his face.

It wasn’t the first time this year that Herlings has suffered from such misfortune. It all started as early as the beginning of the season when Herlings crashed while riding a practice track in Holland and was rushed to hospital. Rumours quickly rushed through social media platforms, with even former rival Ken Roczen getting involved, from his base in America, posting on twitter that his fellow teenager was rushed to hospital in an helicopter. In fact, Herlings merely had a slight injury and was taken to hospital in a normal car, no helicopter involved.

Next up, Herlings found himself in hot water as he collided with rival Tommy Searle in the Grand Prix of Italy. Searle felt that Herlings was riding dirty and had a heated discussion with Herlings’ team manager Stefan Everts. At the Grand Prix of Mexico Herlings and Searle crossed swords, before doing so again in Brazil. Start line blocking was on the agenda as Searle tried to get revenge.

Following that altercation they then moved on to the Grand Prix of France, where Herlings took out good friend and Factory Yamaha rider Arnaud Tonus. To make matters worse, Herlings was dating the sister of Tonus, which all ended in tears and a fist fight in a nearby paddock, but the drama didn’t end there. Herlings was called into the FIM offices and told to tone it down, as he was nearing on his last chance.

A week later at the Grand Prix of Portugal, Herlings came in contact with Mel Pocock, the team-mate of Tonus and training partner of Searle. As the race ended, Herlings was grabbed by the live television interviewer and the teenager let rip with a good share of swearing and threats to Pocock, all on live television. It turns out Pocock had a few days earlier tweeted that he was going to get involved in Herlings’ race. A fine followed and Herlings promised to behave himself for the rest of the season.

Just as it seemed as though Herlings’ season might start to take a less dramatic route with the Dutchman scoring victory at the Grand Prix of Russia, he was involved in the car accident. Battered, but still able to race the FIM MX2 series, the current points leader will now have a week to recover before heading to the Loket circuit in Czech Republic where he will attempt to defend his points lead.