Jeffrey Herlings - The MX1 / MX2 Challenge

Jeffrey Herlings by Ray Archer

For many the 2013 MX2 Championship was going to be a cake walk, the Flying Dutchman would be battling only himself as he cruised to another World title. However, now with the likelihood of Herlings actually going bar to bar with FIM World MX1 Champion, there is a new challenge for Herlings.

"My next challenge is to get another World Championship," Herlings said. "It is going to be 18 rounds, so it will be difficult to go undefeated, but I don't give up that dream, 36 motos and it is going to be tough, I am going to try and win as much as I can do. The first moto is in Qatar in three months and it is going to be way tougher to beat Antonio Cairoli than the other MX2 guys, it is going to be hard on an MX2 bike. I have less horsepower and it is going to be hard to get a good start. If I get 5th in the MX1/MX2 race I will be pumped, but I really try and go there and race with Antonio, I know it is out of reach, but I really want to try. It is almost impossible, but I will give everything to challenge those top guys."

What makes the 2013 season all the more important for Herlings is that his dream is to end his career racing the FIM World Motocross Championship. If he can win another MX2 title in 2013 then he would have to move to the MX2 class, as the rule book says you can only defend your World MX2 Championship once. Depending how Herlings does against the MX1 riders might make up his decision to move to the bigger class, or find another option.

"I really want to stay in Europe, but I also want to spend another year on the MX2 class, so it is tough. I want to stay in Europe because I feel at home, but I don't want to go MX1 yet. I have to make that decision when it comes, go MX1 or go to America. I know I will be a good MX1 rider, but if I want to stay MX2. I mean Iit might be other people’s dream to go to America, but it isn't really mine. I like Europe and being with my friends. We have to see what happens. I want to stay in Europe and finish my career like Antonio will."

Whatever happens, the excitement for the opening round of the series in Doha, Qatar with the night race and the combined MX1 and MX2 races has put the defending World MX2 Champion in a good frame of mind and he will be going to Qatar to not only beat his MX2 rivals, but also the top MX1 guys.