Are we going to be denied the duel in the desert? Jeffrey Herlings’ rookie MXGP season could be blown apart before it’s out of the start gate according to a social media post today by the man himself.
Earlier today Herlings posted an Instagram story in which he said: “Did you ever look at yourself and just think ‘dude you just seriously f*cked up’.” He then held up his arm in plaster and added: “Well that’s what I’m looking at when I see myself knowing I need to be racing in less than two weeks in Qatar.”
With the start of the 19-round world championship less than two weeks away you can certainly understand why Herlings feels like he’s screwed up so badly.
Hard facts are in short supply but KTM’s rider manager told MX Pure‘s Alex Hodgkinson that Herlings will stay in plaster until Monday and will then be examined again.
It’s another injury blow for the 22-year-old Dutch ace following a wrist injury just days before he was due to race the opening round of the Internazionali d’Italia MX at Riola Sardo.
Smets said that although Herlings’ bikes will be in Qatar they’ll wait until the 11th hour before making the call on whether he will race or not.
The hype for Herlings MXGP class debut has been building ever since last year’s announcement that he will move up to the premier class for 2017. If he’s unable to race in the desert on February 25 there will be a lot of disappointed fans, while Herlings will be forced to play catch up when he does eventually make the start gate. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll make practice at Losail on February 24.
Keep it locked to Dirt Bike Rider and we’ll update you when we have more news.
