HRC factory rider Jeffrey Herlings, won’t be celebrating anything in 2026, until he stands on the podium, with the MXGP champions trophy in his hands. A sixth world title, as we have mentioned many times before, would make Herlings the third most successful rider in Grand Prix history, equal with Joel Robert on championship, but ahead in GP wins (120 to Herlings, 50 to Robert), and with only Antonio Cairoli and Stefan Everts ahead of him.

Bavo Swijgers image

However, as we know in the sport, and many times with Herlings, a large points lead means nothing in this stage of the season. Herlings knows it, Josh Coppins knows is and Lucas Coenen knows it. All lost championship leads due to injury. Many more have in GP racing, but these are rather recent situations.

Herlings held a 149 points lead in 2015 when he dropped out of contention due to injury and Tim Gajser scored his first championship win, Coppins held a 107-point lead over Steve Ramon in 2007, when he also crashed out of contention, and of course, the most recent, Lucas Coenen DNFed the British GP and hasn’t really been seen since. His lead was 68 points in England, and very quickly, it was gone.

There are dozens and dozens of such stories and Herlings, as we have mentioned, knows that better than anyone, as do his beloved fans. He has five world title, should really have eight or nine, or even 10, but one injury after another claimed his title chase.

It is no surprise, the Dutch media are excited that Herlings is closing in on a World title, his first since 2021 and his sixth in what has been a sensational career. Little wonder the name Herlings is spread across Dutch media this week, and expect more coverage as he gets close to the championship.

Many Dutch media and fans would love to see him do it in Arnhem in a couple of weeks time, that is of course, very unlikely, but then again, so was him having a 104 point lead now. So anything is possible.

“During my first big race in Mantova in February, I was thinking: Jeffrey, what on earth have you done now?", Herlings told Collin Beijk from Dutch media, omroepbrabant. “But I'm not thinking about that at all (being crowned in Arnhem). It doesn't matter to me where I become champion, as long as I do. It's not realistic either, because I'm currently 104 points ahead and I would have to pull away by 76 points in two motos," the rider explains.

Herlings mentioned to Beijk, that he would love to see a sixth world title won in Europe, where the European fans can celebrate and the fact the series heads to Turkey, China and Australia, won’t make the celebration (if it comes) as much fun.

"I think the MXGP organization is deliberately holding the final races overseas because of the better weather and the finances. So, I do understand it, but as a rider, it's not very nice to become champion in Australia or China. And when you do become world champion, you really want your fans there with you. But anyway, ultimately, everyone would sign up for a world title. Even if it's won on the other side of the world.”

On a new bike, a new team, new everything, “The Bullet” didn’t expect to be in this position in 2026, and he will take it with both hands and while its an Coenen injury that might have handed it to him, he knows the rules of MXGP racing.

“I didn't expect to be in the fight. At the start of the season, I really didn't expect to be competing for the title. The bike is totally different, and so are the culture and way of working. But when the Japanese come up with a solution, it really is a significant step forward. Then we had engine problems, and I lost a lot of points with three retirements. But then, my competitor Lucas Coenen suffered a groin injury. Without injuries, the title should be within reach. But there are still five races left, and it's not over until it's over. And what happened to Coenen is just really shitty for him, but it could happen to me too. But without injuries, this should normally work out."

And if his arm is raised in Turkey, China or Australia (more likely Turkey), he will celebrate, he might even get emotional, and for sure, he will remember all those championships lost the same way Coenen lost his championship this year. This sport is harsh and he knows it better than anyone.

"I'm just going to keep doing what I've always done, and that is riding hard. You can start being more cautious, but your bike can break down, you can get hit, I can fall off my bike or get hit during training. If you start worrying about that, you won't have a life anymore."

So, if you want somebody to get something he might have deserved half a dozen times and never got it, then cross your fingers for Herlings, because a sixth world title he rightly deserves and maybe even a seventh in 2027, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.