KTM Extends Jeffrey Herlings’ Contract Through 2017

Dutch rider Jeffrey Herlings will contest the FIM World Motocross Championship aboard factory KTM machinery for three more years.

Scott Rousseau

Dutch rider Jeffrey Herlings will contest the FIM World Motocross Championship aboard factory KTM machinery for three more years.

Jeffery Herlings will have a home aboard the Red Bull KTM Factory team for another three years, thanks to a contract extension signed this week. Herlings is a two-time MX2 World Champion, and he might have won a third if not for an injury suffered late in 2014. PHOTO BY RAY ARCHER/KTM IMAGES.
Jeffery Herlings will have a home aboard the Red Bull KTM Factory team for another three years, thanks to a contract extension signed this week. Herlings is a two-time MX2 World Champion, and he might have won a third if not for an injury suffered late in 2014. PHOTO BY RAY ARCHER/KTM IMAGES.

KTM Racing has announced that it has reached an agreement with two-time FIM MX2 World Champion Jeffrey Herlings of the Netherlands, who will remain aboard the factory team through the 2017 season.

KTM Head of Racing Pit Beirer (left) shakes hands with Jeffrey Herlings (right) to celebrate Herlings' contract extension. PHOTO COURTESY OF KTM IMAGES.
KTM Head of Racing Pit Beirer (left) shakes hands with Jeffrey Herlings (right) to celebrate Herlings’ contract extension. PHOTO COURTESY OF KTM IMAGES.
Herlings, the rider that KTM calls, “the most talented rider in the World Championship Motocross paddock,” first began racing for KTM in 2009, with the satellite JM Racing KTM, before moving onto the MX2 KTM Factory Team at the end of 2009 when, shortly after his 15th birthday. In 2010, his first full season as with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, he became the youngest-ever MX2 GP winner when he won riding in front of his home crowd at Valkenswaard. Herlings would go on to win two MX2 World Championship titles (2012 and 2013) and amass 43 GP wins.

In 2014, Herlings had put together an amazing unbeaten streak of 18 race wins before suffering a broken femur while riding in a charity event. He missed three of the last four GPs, and despite a brave effort to return at the final round in Mexico long before the leg was properly healed, Herlings surrendered the championship to teammate Jordi Tixier. However, if his leg is properly healed and he stays healthy, there is no reason to believe that Herlings cannot regain the title. Herlings said that he appreciates KTM’s faith in him.

“I’ve now had five seasons with KTM, and I’m very happy that Pit [Beirer] is giving me a chance to stay with the team for another three years. The team has done a great job, and I hope we can continue with good news and good wins in the future.”

Beirer, the Head of KTM Motorsports, said that the company is very pleased to have reached agreement with Herlings to ride for the factory team through 2017.

“Anyone who is a follower of the sport recognizes that he is a rider of passion and exceptional skill and we are very proud that he will be on our bikes and in our factory team in the coming seasons,” Beirer said.

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