Tomac & Herlings - MXoN

With many of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations teams selected in the last week, many are now starting to look at the possible match-ups between riders.

There is no doubt, the biggest battle, or the battle everyone wants to see is Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings going up against Team USA rider Eli Tomac. Herlings who won on both occasions against Tomac in 2017 seemingly goes in the favourite, when you ask around the paddock.

Mark Chamberlain, the team manager of Great Britain has been around the sport for many years. Like many GP followers, he is a big Herlings’ fan, and feels the Dutchman will get the job done come October.

“Tomac to be fair to him,” Chamberlain said. “He is riding closer now to the form he had a few years ago. If he is going to give Herlings a run, it might have to be now. Personally, Herlings is the best rider in the World at the moment, but Tomac is at home, I hope they get into each other a bit.”

A rider who has ridden the Monster Energy FIM Motocross Nations on three occasions for his country and is also a possible chance to head to Redbud in October is Jake Nicholls. The former GP rider and current leading in the British motocross championship rode at Redbud this year and feels the circuit will suit the Grand Prix riders.

To be honest with you, it’s amazing, there is no other way to describe it. You have to give credit to Cairoli, there is no tougher opponent than Herlings, mentally and physically. He only got beaten by 30 second in Lommel and I thought he would lap everyone there. It is unbelievable. It is incredible his skill on a bike and the way he jumps, it’s a product of hard work, nothing has been gifted to him there. He is just a hard worker and as hard as nails. I think it’s a good track for GP guys, because it’s a bit sandy, gets pretty rutted and it isn’t that fast.

Australian Dean Ferris won’t be riding for his country at this year’s event but has ridden a handful of times for Team Australia and is a constant visitor to the MXGP.tv coverage and feels that it might be a tough job to beat Herlings at this year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

“Watching him (Herlings) ride is just unbelievable,” Ferris said. “He has the perfect technique and he is such a big strong guy, he is doing things that nobody has ever seen before and it’s really nice to watch. I watch the whole thing, every lap of every race. I do all my training indoors on a cycle and it gives me a lot of time to watch the racing. I mean it’s going to be at Redbud in America, but still, the way Herlings is riding right now, I would have to put my money on him.”

So there you have it, Herlings might be the favourite in many people eyes, but the real story will be played out in the first weekend of October, when the biggest motocross race in the World is played out at the Redbud circuit in America.

Author:

Geoff Meyer