Jeffrey Herlings returns to MXGP in Russia

Jeffrey Herlings is ready to return to MXGP action after coming through national events in the Netherlands and Germany and is now set to race at Orlyonok for the Grand Prix of Russia.

The Bullet completed two national race events in Europe last week where he scored top three classifications in his first competitive outings since the Motocross of Nations last October.

Herlings will compete alongside current MXGP standings leader and team-mate Tony Cairoli for what will be the first of three consecutive grands prix with Latvia and Germany to follow the long trip to Orlyonok.

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“I’ve just been on the bike for three weeks and it has been going OK,” said Herlings in a press release. “I’ll be going to Russia with a different mindset to usual. It will be the first of three races in a row and those will be important weeks to build-up race-rhythm for the rest of the season.

“I did two national events and my speed was there but I was struggling with the normal things you get on the way back from injury: arm-pump and running with other riders again.

“It will be even tougher with a whole bunch of top guys in Russia!

“I don’t have a position in mind. I’ll do my best of course and I’ll be happy with something between 5-10 but we have to keep realistic. When we go to Latvia next, which is a bit sandy, then we can look and see and maybe think a bit differently.”

Team manager and technical co-ordinator Dirk Gruebel: “It almost goes without saying that we cannot wait to have Jeffrey back as part of the team and to be full strength for the first time this season.

“We’ll have to take it easy in Russia and let him just find his speed and place back in the MXGP pack. The rest of the guys have almost half a season of racing under their belt so Jeffrey is going to need to find his bearings and then try to improve and keep patient. It feels like a long time since his unfortunate injury at the beginning of the year but I’m sure many MXGP fans will be interested to see him battling for top positions again.”

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