A bunch of GP victories, already three world motocross championships, and number four around the corner, the 23-year-old knows that only hard work will get the job done against Antonio Cairoli. We caught up with him today to talk about his preparation and also about the MXoN, set for America in October.
MXlarge: Firstly, how is it practicing in this heat?
Herlings: Being in Holland, you will know it is hot in Holland, and its 35 degrees, and we are not normally used to this weather. I am normally good in the heat and until now it hasn’t been a problem.
MXlarge: I know you ride a lot, but how is your week? Do you also get to do fun stuff outside of motocross?
Herlings: Obviously a lot of my time goes into training. I do two to three trainings a day, especially when there is riding involved, because you need to pack your stuff, get to the track, unpack, get yourself dressed, do a couple of sessions of riding, then pack again, drive yourself home and clean the stuff a bit. So then it’s a long day. The riding takes a lot of time, but in the evening with this good weather I like to spend time with friends or family and chill out a bit of do something fun. At the moment though most of the days are fully plans with trainings, it is something that I like to do.
MXlarge: So do you train like that every single day?
Herlings: For sure we try and have some days when it is a little calm. Monday after a GP I am not going to set the world on fire, just bicycle around and do some easier work, but now, because we have a free weekend coming up, we will have a block from Wednesday until Wednesday to train really hard and I feel like it’s a time I can push my body again to prepare for the GP. It also depends on the time and where I am in the world, and whatever the race will be, if it’s a hot race or whatever.
MXlarge: You have mentioned a couple of times this year how you feel Antonio and yourself are on a pace that nobody in the world could match, and while Antonio has dropped off that a little with his hand injury, you still seem to be on a crazy pace. Watching the AMA Nationals, it is clear Eli (Tomac) is really going fast, but even he doesn’t have the same intensity that you seem to have. Of course on his day, he can beat anyone. How much are you looking forward to racing him again?
Herlings: Definitely, it would be amazing. Of course on social media, the Americans keyboard warriors say they are better than us Europeans and it’s the same the other way around, the Europeans say we are better. I am cool with Tomac and I am cool with anyone. Of course it would be nice to battle Eli again, and I think he and Marvin and Kenny, those are the three main guys and its Tony and I in Europe. We go to their home turf, their tracks, but I am looking forward to it.
MXLarge: Do you know much about Redbud, and if you have, do you like it?
Herlings: Yes, I know the track, and I have seen the track for years. I follow the Nationals closely and I know the track and it looks amazing. A wide track, a fast track, really good for passing. Little sandy on the top it seems, nice big berms, at least that is how it looks on the computer. I think it’s a good track for me and the complete Dutch team. I can’t wait to go there.
MXlarge: Everyone in the paddock seems to be thinking that Vlaanderen will be riding for Holland. What is your opinion on that? That’s a possible winning team?
Herlings: It would be amazing if Calvin can join our team. In the past it’s been Glenn Coldenhoff, Brian Bogers and me, but obviously Brian is injured at the moment and we are all on 450s now anyway. Brian can’t ride because he is injured, so its probably a no go, and with Calvin he is very good at the moment, winning races and GPs and the Honda is strong also. I think we have a podium chance for sure.
MXLarge: I know you watch a lot of the MX2. Most of the guys in MXGP are getting older, who do you think is the next guy, the guy who might challenge you in the future? Prado maybe?
Herlings: Yes, he is the next big thing, let’s say. He is very talented and gifted, and he is already really good and only 17. Most likely or maybe he wins the championship this year, he has at least a 50% chance of winning the championship, then you are a talented boy and he should be the next big kid to move up and race for championships.
MXlarge: Is it possible to start to think about Assen and winning the championship there?
Herlings: That would be amazing, and when I was leading the championship by 62 points, that was realistic, but now, I had a 12-point lead and now its 30 points, but we still have four rounds before Assen and Italy after that. Tony is in good form, and he isn’t an easy guy to beat and he is very consistent. We have to really be on top of our game to win the championship in Assen, but I am not looking at the championship and planning things, because I know in this sport anything can happen and I would need some luck on my side.
MXlarge: I mentioned to you in a text that I was in Bali last week for a holiday after the two GPs and I was sitting in a bar and watching MXGP on television. A local Balinese guy came over and said to me; how good is that Herlings guy riding at the moment. I had to laugh, because here is this local guy, on a very touristic island in the middle of Asia, and he knows who you are. It seems to me that MXGP is now better known worldwide than even the American series, which for years was probably the best-known series in the world. How does that feel for you?
Herlings: I think its really good, Youthstream and the Luongo family are running it. Youthstream are doing a really good job with the championship and it is always growing. Obviously, it is a big calendar with 20 races and its hard for some teams to make all the rounds, but if you look how big the sport has gotten since Giuseppe and Youthstream, its just amazing. If you look at the World scene, how its developed, its simply been growing every year and getting bigger and bigger, but if you look at the main thing, its making the sport awesome and they are doing a really good job.
