Jeffrey Herlings is about to return to his KTM – that’s great news but not a surprise. What is a surprise is it will be for enduro!
That’s according to Geoff Meyer via Youthstream’s website.
Herlings has been back on his mountain bike for a while now so it makes sense to progress to a motorcycle as soon as his recovery would allow. But instead of hitting up a motocross track it sounds like the next step in his rehabilitation is a bit of enduro riding.
Don’t expect Herlings to hit the Erzberg Rodeo or anything remotely as insane – we imagine it’ll be some gentle (by his standards) rides to get back into the swing of being back on a motorcycle before he steps up in preparation for his MXGP return, which could be at Mantova (Monster Energy MXGP of Lombardia) on May 12.
Meyer spoke with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s team manager, Dirk Gruebel, who’s happy for Herlings to take his time and he isn’t expecting him to battle at the front when he first returns after being out for three months. “First go to the doctor and he gives the green light, then we see how his foot feels in the boot and see how he is riding,” said Gruebel.
“If he feels good for Mantova, then he can come back, but he shouldn’t push too go for a top spot, because I don’t think he is able to do that yet. In our opinion, we think maybe one or two races after that. He shouldn’t rush anything.”
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For Gruebel it’s important to manage expectations, both for Jeffrey and race fans. “I know his level of speed is high anyhow, but these two guys [Tony Cairoli and Tim Gajser], they are also in a good level, like Tony and Jeffrey are last year. It will be the wrong approach to try and battle with them in his first race back but knowing Jeffrey – how quickly he recovers from injury and how quickly he gets his speed back, I wouldn’t be surprised if by the second or third race he is already battling with them.”
So we are still in a waiting game. Can The Bullet be ready for Mantova or should he even try? Should he wait until May 19 for the MXGP of Portugal or for as long as it takes to be close to 100 per cent? We want your thoughts.
You can read the full story here.
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