Jeffrey Herlings from the Red Bull KTM Factory team made a positive start to his return to the World Championship. Herlings struggled with arm pump in the first moto and had to settle for 20th place. In the second moto, he showed his potential by leading a few laps and eventually finishing in 7th place.
After the Spanish/French Grand Prix double, MXGP had a week to recuperate before Italian back-to-back fixtures with distinct flavors. First-up for Red Bull KTM was the Grand Prix of Sardinia around the compact, sandy course on the island that serves as a popular off-season training site.
In contrast to Cozar and St Jean D’Angely in recent weeks, the climate was stable on the western tip of the Sardinian territory. Red Bull KTM welcomed all-time record wins holder Jeffrey Herlings back in the awning for the Dutchman’s return to world championship competition and where he steers the KTM 450 SX-F for the eighth consecutive season. Herlings didn’t get the best start in the first moto and weathered arm-pump to ride to 20th.
Herlings had a decent getaway in the second moto and led the first three laps of 18 before guiding the #84 KTM across the line in 7th; a result earned with less than a week of saddle time after a six-month lay-off.
The Italian theme for MXGP continues this week as the series moves to the mainland and to the north for the Grand Prix of Trentino. The hardpacked Pietramurata circuit in Arco di Trento and close to Lake Garda will stage round five of the championship!
Jeffrey Herlings, 20th and 7th for 15th overall in MXGP: “We decided at the last minute to come to this race and use it as the best practice. Yes, a P20 can hurt but…I think it was just my sixth day on the bike after six months. So, for the circumstances I think it was quite good today. It was the first time I’d done a 35-minute moto! We got some points and finishing 7th in the second moto was quite good. Now just to build and get better every single week. Step-by-step now.”
Results MXGP Sardinia 2025
- Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 4-1
- Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic, 2-3
- Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 5-2
- Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA), Fantic, 3-5
- Kevin Horgmo (NOR), Honda, 7-8
- Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 20-7
Photocredits is Juan Pablo Acevedo
