Time is ticking down for Red Bull KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings and his hopes of winning the 2014 FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship – a contest in which he has all but dominated this season – are dwindling. The Dutchman was unable to travel to Brazil for the Grand Prix of Goias this weekend after revered Belgian surgeon Dr Claes informed the reigning number one on Tuesday that his leg fracture had not healed sufficiently to consider riding and racing. Now Herlings faces an anxious few days to see whether the limb will improve enough to consider a late flight to South America and the final round of the six month campaign at Leon in Mexico.
A lot could hinge on the results and progress this weekend of team-mate Jordi Tixier; the only rider that can depose Herlings from the top of the standings. The Frenchman lies 57 points behind and if he wins both motos across the impressive red dirt of Trindade then the gap will be down to seven with two starts remaining.
“If he makes it then it will still be a really tough job,” said MX2 Team Manager Stefan Everts exclusively. “His leg will be weak and there will be a lack of fitness. To be honest a lot depends on Jordi and what he will do in the next motos.”
“It has been a tough time for Jeffrey and mentally it has been hard,” the Belgian added. “I have been through the same thing in waiting to get back quickly from injury; you end up counting the minutes.”
Herlings had been making a positive recovery from the clean fracture to the femur sustained in a charity race in July. He missed two Grand Prix but has since been hit with a stomach infection that slowed his rehab programme to be in the best possible shape in the shortest time frame. ‘84’ stopped using crutches to walk two weeks ago and insists he has no pain in the leg but being able to ride his 250SX-F – even for just a few points through two thirty minute and two lap motos (although he is fortunate that the gate numbers are lower than usual for both Brazil and Mexico) – will be a tall order.
“There is still a small chance he will show up for Mexico,” said Everts. It would have been better to make sure of it [the title] over four races and now we will have to wait and see. He has been doing everything he can. He has had many doctor visits, a lot of check-ups, bone treatments, swimming; everything to the maximum.”
So the Grand Prix of Goias will have one nervous TV viewer this weekend. Red Bull KTM will then keep tabs on whether they have to book an extra plane ticket during the week for Leon. Herlings race bike and mechanic Rami Falt are already in Trindade. “Jeffrey usually likes to arrive late for overseas races anyway,” informs Everts.
Photo by Ray Archer
