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Thank you! I like that about it. I think that's why he was so relaxed when talking about the deeper subjects as well...
I love the dynamic where he asked me what I thought about his career, approach etc... That means he was into it!
Maybe they should cancel that MX2 class for good? Why they need put so much effort and millions into all those teams MX2 riders? It's such a waste anyway...
His lengthy MX2 career was simply born out of frustration at clearly being the fastest guy but missing out on championships through injury.
2010 (MX2 debut season): Missed the final seven motos of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Finished sixth in the championship, but was on pace for fourth or third.
2011 (MX2): No major injuries. Finished second in the championship.
2012 (MX2 Champion): No major injuries. Won the championship.
2013 (MX2 Champion): Missed two GPs late in the season with a broken scapula (shoulder blade). Won the championship.
2014 (MX2): Missed three GPs late in the season with a broken femur, then returned for the final race and was uncompetitive. Cost him the championship (by four points).
2015 (MX2): Three injuries: Missed one moto with a broken collarbone; dropped out of one moto and missed the following GP with a severely cut finger; tried to return, but missed the last six GPs after dislocating a hip in the qualifying race. Almost certainly cost him the championship.
2016 (MX2 Champion): Missed three GPs in the second half with a broken collarbone. Won the championship, but looked shaky after his return.
Herlings MX2 Injuries
And the thing about Roczen 'mopping the floor' with him... Although they're only 6 months apart in age they didn't start their MX2 careers at the same time. Roczen had raced nearly the entire 2009 MX2 season before Herlings arrived on the scene in 2010 and their results reflected a normal hierarchal pattern where the slightly more experienced riders typically outclass the newer, less experienced guys. Herlings was beaten by Roczen, who had been beaten by Musquin, who had been beaten by Cairoli, who had been beaten by Townley etc... After Musquin had left for America in 2010 Roczen (who I favoured at the time) won their head to head in 2011, but it was still bloody close and they battled all year. It was an epic season. Had Herlings gone down the American route and given SX a shot he would have almost certainly been as successful as Kenny has been. But he chose not to.
I consider Jeff the most overrated rider of our generation
This has to be one of the most ridiculous comments I've read on Vital in 14 years
Best interview I’ve listened to in a long time 👍
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Really good interview though Lewis! You can tell he's matured a lot.
I'd like you to qualify your statement about Foxhill though... I hope you're only referring to the quality of the dirt these days?
I can't believe how many ppl cry about it being a podcast. It would be like 30 pages to read.
Goto the shed and service your bike and listen.
Listen to it driving to work and home over a couple of days.
If you work in a workshop. Play it while at work.
What people fails to understand is that there is a age limit in mx2 at 23 years old.
there is only so much spots on teams in the MXGP class so nobody rushes up on a big bike before they have to as there is simply no spots on the teams.
if you get two titles you have to move up, that’s why Vialle is in the US now since he felt that he was not ready to be a 450 guy at his age.
People complaining about Herlings being overrated simply never seen him ride in person. I'm happy to say that i have witnessed him riding since 85's and he impressed me every damn time. On the 250 he certainly did things that i haven't seen anyone else doing. Especially during Dutch Masters races. Look up to Mill 2016 Dutch Masters and tell me that you're not impressed. On the 450 I feel that end of 2017 + 2018 were his best 'raw speed' seasons. In 2021 he had a few at the end, as he had to give 110% to still win that championship. That comeback was one of the most impressive ones (also mentally at Mantova) that I have ever seen.
Yes, he had way too many injuries. We were robbed from even more jaw dropping races from him, but man i'm glad that I have witnessed alot of special things. And yes, I love to watch Tomac/Webb/Usa riders as much as GP riders. They all did amazing things in their careers as well. But if you talk about raw speed and especially incredible sand riding, I haven't seen that from anyone else, ever.
Hit the nail on the head.
You can call Jeffrey a lot of things, but overrated? That’s a massively ignorant statement.
Difference is HP AND the age rule in MXGP. If there was no age rule then it wouldn’t stand out as much. Oh and that he got the series to change the number of championships rule so he could race it yet another year to rack up wins. No one is saying the 250 guys suck, just that he was skirting higher competition to pad his stats
Jeez when you list out the 7 years of MX2 it makes what Jett is doing look even more impressive
No one is saying Jett Lawrence isn't impressive. You guys like to rush kids out of amateurs and then onto 450s as quickly as possible, but that priority isn't necessarily the same for everyone.
Rushing lol, put Jett back on that 250 for another 4 years 😂
Wish we coulda heard about the Tonus story. If I recall there was on track stuff that happened but more off track stuff with the dad and more with the sister who’s now with HL 😂😂
Bang up job Lewis. Very well prepared questions and executed without any hiccups. Is that early career interview anywhere on the internet? I'm frothing to watch it.
About as classy as when he took out Tounus front wheel in France and showed up at the restaurant later that night..
Many riders can learn something from this interview .......just say what you think......
Pit Row
I was already a huge fan of JH84 but now I’m even more of a fan now , dude smarter than what you think. he reminds me of KD a bit , they don’t care about social media & the press and all that , they just wana play basketball & race moto
Yes, yes... Foxhill is a shadow of its former self. Thanks!
Really good interview. Best 2 hours I've had at work in a long time. Jeff rocks!
You asked for my opinion, so here it is...............
I hate to say it but I borderline like the guy now. Most of my dislike was based on exactly what he says, small soundbites, podium talk or interviews that were much more surface level. He still seems a bit arrogant, but his arrogance is truly deserved. If you are even in the discussion of the fastest man alive you have every right to be a little cocky. Previously I thought he seemed like a dick as well as being cocky. The interview was relaxed and natural and you seemed to bring out his true nature which is much more likable. Maybe by dislike was semi-based on nationalistic pride.
Congrats, it was one of the best interviews I've heard in a long time. I think Jase is a very good interviewer, but he did not get Herlings to open up nearly as much as you did. You know it's a good interview when you get out of the truck and put your earbuds in to listen while you are going about your business at home.
Always want the best for these athletes ... so happy that he's found some contentment in this (late) stage of his career.
I was at the dutchmasters in Mill several times.I remember one event where Herlings was the only guy sending it over that crazy jump in the races.Crazy stuff!!!
Probably KTM was happy about the situation to have a title contender in each class?
Amazing work Lewis, didn’t really feel like an interview more like a bar chat.
Good guy with an incredible career, spend his money smart and wisely. Really hope he gets another title before he calls it quit.
Only small bummer in this “bar” chat is you didn’t really ask about his younger years and the whole Everts deal. Feel like there are allot more good stories and also bad with the femur accident on the 85.
He didn’t really touch on it or might forget, when you asked if someone ever stopped him from riding and training it was Everts. Didn’t he bought a 450 by himself and went training on a stocker over the winter because he couldn’t ride his 250 from the team. There are some movies on YouTube off him riding that stocker.
He says he almost read everything online, so Jeff if you read this, good luck and best wishes for you man! You’re a badass and lets kick some more ass from now on!
The same KD that was busted using burner accounts to argue with people on social media about himself? I think Herlings deserves a better comparison! lol
I’ve always been a JH fan…much because I lived in Holland for a while and flew out of a base there. I love Holland and the Dutch people. We had pride, and an official role, in being part of the defense for Holland. It was tertiary behind the responsibility of the USAF and NATO…but we took great pride in being “The Queen’s Finest”.
so…having said that(to show I’m not just an ugly American)…250 wins do not equal 450 wins no matter how some try to justify it. We all really know it even if some won’t admit it. I was surprised he did not move up for the 2013 season..but I guessed he wanted to defend his title. Fine…..but after the 2013 season when he did defend his title then it was at the cost of arguing “best ever.” 3 more years cherry picking in the junior class?? I never understood that. You don’t keep racing F2 races when you can be an F1 driver. He obviously had the ability to move up…but he didn’t. That’s on him…and because of that he is out of my “greatest ever” conversation.
This discussion is opinion based but comparing it to this years outdoors season. 250s has been more fun to watch because it is way more competitive…and Jett is making the 450s kind of a snoozer…..but NOBODY thinks Hunter’s wins count more, or as much, or that he is better then Jett. If you want to be the premier rider then you have to do it in the premier class.
yeaaaa you right lol 👍🏾 cause KD be contradicting himself , 1 min he just wana hoop & the next he going at it with the twitter fingers
Reminds me of this week's world swimming titles. NBC telecast had USA on top of the leader board with the most medals won, not Australia who had won the most Gold medals!
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