Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team delivered an encouraging performance at the Grand Prix of Flanders in Lommel — a surprising display considering he had not been able to train on the bike for 4.5 weeks due to a broken collarbone.
Herlings already showed strong speed during Saturday’s time practice, clocking the second-fastest time — just a fraction slower than Lucas Coenen, who topped the session. A poor start in the qualifying heat limited Herlings to a ninth-place finish, but he was determined to battle for top-five positions in Sunday’s motos.
In both motos on Sunday, Herlings rode with the front group. In the second moto, he even took the early lead and built up a sizeable gap over second place. However, due to a lack of arm strength, he struggled to maintain control and suffered several crashes. These setbacks cost him a potential podium finish, and he ended both motos in eighth place.
Jeffrey Herlings commented:
“The speed was there and could be seen in practice, first moto and the second… but I haven’t done anything for four weeks and I’m lacking some arm muscle and power. Fitness-wise I was quite OK, I think I could have gone 3-3 today thanks to that but my shoulder wouldn’t let me. I couldn’t hold on that well and started crashing. Overall, I’m quite happy about my riding but I was on the deck too much. Onto Sweden, and I’m hopeful with three-four weeks back on the bike I’ll be competitive again for the final three GPs.”
This coming Sunday, Herlings will line up to race at the international event on the Keiheuvel circuit in Mol, Belgium.
Photocredits – Juan Pablo Acevedo
