Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing claimed victory at the final round of the Dutch Masters of Motocross in Markelo, winning both motos and securing his first overall win of the season.
Feeling increasingly confident in his form, Herlings arrived at the Markelo finale in a positive mindset. The track was in perfect condition and, thanks to the good weather, featured a harder surface than usual. In time practice, Herlings posted the second-fastest lap, earning an ideal gate pick for both motos.
A strong start in the first moto put Herlings straight into the lead group. After initially sitting in second, he patiently sized up the race before making his move to the front. Once in the lead, he pushed hard to open a gap. In the latter part of the race, his closest rival closed in and was right on his rear wheel, but Herlings held firm with sharp lines and smart defensive riding, leaving no room for an overtake. After a thrilling battle, he crossed the finish line as the winner.
The second moto saw an even better start, with Herlings leading from the first corner. Romain Febvre was right behind him, making for a nail-biting race. The two raced wheel-to-wheel for the entire moto, but once again, Herlings delivered a flawless performance under pressure. Despite Febvre’s relentless pursuit, Herlings maintained the lead and took the win.
With a double moto victory, Herlings captured his first major win of the season. He now looks ahead to next weekend’s French Grand Prix in Ernée.
Overall Results – Dutch Masters of Motocross 500, Markelo:
Jeffrey Herlings – 50 pts
Romain Febvre – 44 pts
Jago Geerts – 40 pts
Brian Bogers – 36 pts
Micha Boy de Waal – 30 pts
Photo credit: True Focus 381
