The trip to Teutschenthal means MXGP in Germany, and the time-honored hard-pack and narrow circuit near the city of Halle witnessed another podium finish for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Jeffrey Herlings at round eight of 2024 MXGP and the first of another triple header.
The tight and winding dark dirt of the Talkessel layout brought MXGP back to speed and meant the 2024 edition of the German Grand Prix launched the latest trio of back-to-back fixtures in the world championship. Red Bull KTM went searching for more podium results as the season reaches the midway point and with the surface of the Teutschenthal course soft, rutty and bumpy due to rain in the region and in the build-up to the race.
On Saturday Herlings secured 4th position in the RAM Qualification Heat with his KTM 450 SX-F for a decent gate pick for Sunday’s two 30 minute and 2 lap motos.
Sunday was again cloudy and with the prospect of rainfall ever present. Herlings rode well after a so-so start to recover to 2nd place in the first moto. The Dutchman, who defied arm-pump problems on Saturday to find stronger form, was P2 at the launch of the second race. He tussled with Tim Gajser and looked to close-up to leader Jorge Prado but lost some time through backmarkers and confirmed 3rd place. Jeffrey tied on points with Gajser but accepted P3 due to the second moto ranking.
Herlings now has 336 points and sits 3rd in the standings, 66 from the red plate.
Jeffrey Herlings, 2nd and 3rd for 3rd overall in MXGP: “My speed is getting better and better. We changed my set-up today and it was an improvement. I got unlucky with the lapped riders twice today but I guess they were having their own race! Anyway, 2-3 for 3rd: not bad. In the past I’ve left here a few times straight to the hospital and now I’m going home! It’s not my favorite track and there are some better ones for me coming up. We’re 3rd in the championship and it’s still a long season ahead. I’m proud of today but I’m hoping for a GP win at some point.”
Results MXGP Germany 2024
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 1-1
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 3-2
3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 2-3
Standings MXGP 2024 after 8 of 20 rounds
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 402 points
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 400
3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 336
Words by KTM – Images by Ray Archer
