Despite being courted by a number of teams for his upcoming move to MXGP in 2017, Jeffrey Herlings is staying with KTM, the only brand he’s ever ridden for.
Herlings, whose current contract wasn’t up until after 2018, and KTM agreed to an extension today that will see the two-time MX2 champion stay with the Austrian manufacture through 2020. As expected, Herlings will move to MXGP in 2017.
“I’m really happy to be with the KTM family. I’ve already been there since 2009 and I’m very happy to extend my contract,” said Herlings in a statement. “Hopefully we will have a lot of championship titles and a lot of wins together. I will try to win as much as possible and I am thankful to have this chance. It’s an opportunity and we’ll try to make the best of it. This will be my last year in MX2 and I’ll try to win the title.”
Despite missing the last two rounds of the championship due to a broken collarbone, Herlings, who will turn 22 in September, still holds an 87-point lead in the MX2 championship. According to Adam Wheeler, Herlings is expected to miss a third straight Grand Prix this weekend at the MXGP of Switzerland. The Dutch native is expected to return for his home GP at Assen on August 28.
Pit Beirer, Head of Motorsport for KTM, added: “We are very pleased to sign Jeffrey through to 2020. He came to us at a very young age and we have seen him develop into a highly skilled rider on all terrains. He is an outstanding competitor, and to have 59 GP wins at such a young age is exceptional. Jeffrey is an integral part of our KTM family and we view our relationship with him as one for a lifetime.”
