Comebacks from injury isn’t something new to five-time World Motocross Champion, Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM factory team. The rider known as “The Bullet” due to his astounding speed will make another comeback this coming weekend, at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.

He will also come up against a red-hot HRC rider in Tim Gajser, who is looking to have reached his prime, in a career that already has five World titles and 51 GP wins. Gajser isn't slow in sand, although his Sardinia results have been up and down.

He will also face a fellow Red Bull KTM factory rider in Lucas Coenen, who has won a moto in the sand of Riola in 2024 in the MX2 class. And what about that old mimesis in Romain Febvre, who he had battled many times in the deep sand of Riola, Lommel and Arnhem. Not to mention, his fellow countryman in Glenn Coldenhoff, who is known for his amazing talent when the circuits get nastier than normal.

Herlings has raced Grand Prix motocross since 2010, so the 2025 season is his 16th year on the big playing field and he has raced just 194 GPs in that time, so around 14 GPs a season on average. We all know he missed the complete 2022 season, after having probably his best championship battle ever in 2021.

Since his move to the MXGP class, Herlings raced 19 rounds in 2017, 19 rounds in 2018, five rounds in 2019, six rounds in 2020, 17 in 2021, zero in 2022, 11 in 2023 and a full 20 rounds in 2024. Rather amazing, in his two championship seasons in MXGP, 2018 and 2021, he even missed a round.

We all remember his stunning comeback ride in Lommel in 2021, when he was landed on in Oss, Holland, broke his should blade, missed a round in Loket, then arrived in Lommel, to finish an exciting second to Romain Febvre.

What about his Riola Sardo victory in 2023!!! Having missed the entire 2022 season, the KTM factory rider finished a fighting second at the opening round in Argentina, before winning Sardinia, ahead of fellow Dutchman, Glenn Coldenhoff and the future MXGP champion of that season, Jorge Prado.

Of course, a few months later in 2023, while fighting Prado for the championship points lead, Herlings again crashed in Germany and this time fractured C5 vertebrae, ending his championship challenge.

So, with no racing since October, we all see it again, Jeffrey Herlings making a comeback from injury. Can he do another exciting performance or is his body starting to show the signs of the damage it has received over the years.

At 30 years of age, he has already said 2025 might be his final season, although if he can come back and put together the results we have known him for, then another season, either with KTM or from another brand in the paddock (it is understood he has spoken to many teams in the paddock about next year).

What we all hope, is we get a very fast Herlings in Sardinia and while a victory in these tough conditions would seem unlikely, I don’t think anyone would be surprised if the name Jeffrey Herlings was on top of the podium come Sunday night at Riola Sardo.

The Favourite Wins

Herlings: Valkenswaard and my first one, the first 1-1 that brought me a championship in Faenza (2012), the 1-1 in Lierop in 2012, (where he lapped most of the field), the 1-1 at Assen that brought my first championship in MXGP (2018) and in front of so many home fans…then beating Tony at Matterley Basin (2018) was special. There have been plenty of nice ones, but apart from the first, not many that standout strongly.

Sardinia 2021 - Victory

Herlings: “I am Happy from one side and unfortunate from the other because it’s a sad way to take the red plate. The points have never been so close before after 10 races, as it is right now, we are super close. For today, I was first in time practice and then the first race I managed to get the holeshot, that was a surprise and then managed to control the rest of the race. The second race I started behind Jorge, I tried to overtake him, and it was tough to pass. I tried many times and eventually I managed to pass him, pull a gap and control the rest of the race. It was a picture-perfect weekend, and I hope I have more of those throughout the season. For now, we keep going and be the best every weekend. We have improved on many occasions this season, like the starts, we have worked hard on this”.

Lommel 2021 – The Comeback

Herlings: “We didn’t ride much in practice, but we had a good gate pick and then in the first moto Romain had really good pace, so I just sat there to save energy. As everybody knows, I broke my shoulder blade and it’s not normal to be riding again in thirteen days. I didn’t know if my speed would fade because the track was so rough and hard on the body. At one point I felt I could run a faster pace. I passed Romain and made a gap. I started well in the second moto – fourth or fifth I think - but came together with Glenn going for an inside line. It was a shame to be last, but I fought my way back to 5th…then I faded! I couldn’t hold onto the bike that well and I didn’t want to make a big crash. To go 1-5 is a good day. One week ago, we thought the championship was over – and I still need to hunt down the points – but 42 points is not too bad and there are still a lot of races and options ahead. 42 away is not where I want to be but if I had this offer a week ago, I would have signed for it.”

Sardinia 2023 – 100 Wins

“A 100th GP! Amazing. It was tough because the track was fast and it wasn’t easy to pass, the nearer you got to the front the harder it was! When the other riders were getting a bit tired, I was still in good shape and could keep pushing. I need to work on my starts. I have been focusing on my motos, but I know it’s a weak point and it needs to be improved. Once we can get that dialled in then life will be easier.”

Ray Archer image