MOTOREX supported Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Jeffrey Herlings has won the 2018 FIM MXGP World Championship at his home round, the GP of the Netherlands. In dominant form once again, the Dutchman won both motos on Sunday, the first by over 40 seconds, from his KTM teammate Tony Cairoli.
The track at Assen, a temporary layout placed on top of the legendary road-racing circuit, proved tighter than previous years. Over the course of the weekend it also became rougher, challenging the riders’ skill and their bikes’ reliability to the maximum. One rider was able to tame the sand better than the rest – KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings.
In just his second year in the MXGP class, Herlings was unstoppable on the bumpy Assen circuit. Securing the first gate pick due to his win in Saturday’s qualification race, the former MX2 world champion got a great start and had moved into the lead before the beginning of the second lap. From there, he didn’t look back. Unchallenged by the riders behind, the sand specialist cruised to victory to the cheers of the 40,000 spectators.
His moto one win was enough to secure the 2018 title, and with it came the celebrations. His complete dominance of the premier class this season is down to his intense training regime and the performance and reliability of his MOTOREX lubricated KTM 450 SX-F.
Herlings’ statistics for the 2018 season are staggering - of the 18 MXGP rounds he’s contested so far this year, he has won 16 and never finished a moto lower than third place. Despite the depth of talent in the class, the newly crowned champion has led over two thirds of all laps raced throughout the year. And although he missed the GP of Lombardia due to a broken collarbone, Herlings went on to win the title with three races to spare.
KTM rider and 2017 MXGP World Champion Tony Cairoli pushed his teammate right to the end, scoring a 2-2 result in Assen to confirm his runner-up position in the 2018 standings. The result grants MOTOREX supported KTM the top-two positions in the MXGP championship for the second consecutive year.
Third place in the Netherlands was closely fought between MOTOREX supported riders Max Anstie (Husqvarna) and local talent Glenn Coldenhoff (KTM). With his 3-4 result, it was Rockstar Energy Factory Racing’s Anstie who ultimately claimed the final podium spot.
In the MX2 class, Jorge Prado was on fantastic form at Assen and took the double win. KTM have now mathematically claimed the title. However, championship leader Prado will go into the final round with a 46-point advantage over teammate Pauls Jonass. With 50 points up for grabs the overall champion has not yet been decided. The two MOTOREX supported riders will once again do battle, this time at Imola for the MXGP of Italy.
The complete dominance, in both classes, is due in part to the reliability and performance of the Swiss-manufactured lubricants. MOTOREX would like to congratulate Jeffrey Herlings on his massive success this season.
The 20th and final round of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship will be held in Italy on September 29-30.