Five-time motocross world champion Jeffrey Herlings has decided at short notice to compete in the ADAC MX Masters in Tensfeld next weekend. The 2008 ADAC MX Junior Cup champion is thus returning to the roots of his career. In the interview, he talks about his early years in the series and its significance.
Herlings was once the prodigy of the motocross world championship, winning his first world championship event at the tender age of 15, shortly after his debut, and becoming world champion a year later. This spring, the 28-year-old equalled the record for the most race wins in the World Championship, which has existed since 2006, and the most Grand Prix wins. Herlings has now graced the top step of the World Championship podium as the overall winner 105 times, with the last time being last weekend, and has been crowned world champion five times.
Herlings will be using the ADAC MX Masters race at Tensfeld as a means of keeping in practice for the forthcoming world championship races. It will not be easy for reigning ADAC MX Masters champion Max Nagl, who went into the summer break as championship leader, and his opponents to keep the Dutchman in his place, but anything is possible in racing. The fans at the race track in Tensfeld will certainly be the winners of Herlings' guest start, because it's rare to see a rider of his calibre in person. When he made his first ADAC start in 2006, which also took place in Tensfeld, no one could have known that the Dutchman would become one of the best motocross riders of all time.
Jeffrey, how important were the ADAC MX Masters and junior classes like the ADAC MX Junior Cup in terms of their influence on your career?
Jeffrey Herlings: ‘It was an important championship for me when I was younger. The ADAC MX Junior Cup is a highly regarded international championship, and a lot of people in the business follow these races closely. So, it was important for me to compete in it as a young rider, in the hope that the big teams would take notice of me. The championship is also very strong and competitive in the big classes. As far as I'm concerned, the ADAC MX Masters is of a very high standard in Europe. It is extremely professional, very well organised and the tracks are usually very good. I prefer racing to just doing practice laps on a free weekend, which is why I like to compete as an ADAC guest starter from time to time.’
Do you still remember your first race in the ADAC MX Junior Cup?
‘I remember it like it was yesterday. It was in Tensfeld in 2006, and it was a great experience. The result, on the other hand, was a little less good, but it was a fun experience.’
How did it feel to win the 2008 ADAC MX Junior Cup against Dennis Ullrich?
‘It's always great to win a championship. Dennis was very good and strong at the time. Beating him at home was a nice achievement.’
Over the years, you have returned to the ADAC MX Masters for individual races. What do you like about it?
‘I come from Holland, live in Holland and live near the German border. So it's always great for me to do an ADAC race from time to time if it fits into my schedule. I don't have a long journey and there's great racing. I love racing with the ADAC when my schedule allows. I always have to consider my schedule when entering a race and also discuss it with my team, but maybe something will come up that I can roll up to the gate at one or two races in 2024 as well. I would be happy about that!’
It's not uncommon for ‘local heroes’ to be really fast on home soil. Can Max Nagl, Tom Koch, Henry Jacobi or Maximilian Spies put you under pressure?
‘Yes, absolutely, 100 per cent. Although I have won 105 Grand Prix, I am convinced that they can put me under pressure and fight with me. I never underestimate the local heroes, I have already learned that in Germany, France and Great Britain: When they are on their own tracks, they are very, very good and it will definitely not be a walk in the park.’
What is your best memory of racing in the ADAC?
‘That would have to be winning the championship in 2008.’
You broke the record for the most overall Grand Prix wins last year and have added more since then. How important are records like that to you?
‘It's a great feeling, I've broken two of the three most important records – race wins, GP wins and world titles. OK, I didn't break the title record, but most race wins and most GP wins. These were life goals for me. It's great to have achieved them, and I'm happy about it. I really wish I could get to ten championships or more, but given all the injuries I've suffered, I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen. But to have both those big records with my name on them makes me feel pretty satisfied.’
Fans can get autographs from Jeffrey Herlings and the other top riders at the ADAC MX Masters truck at the ADAC MX Masters on Sunday at Tensfeld between 12:15pm and 12:45pm. Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance online from the ADAC Schleswig-Holstein ticket shop or on the day at the box office.
