Herlings completes 2024 MXGP campaign with valued bronze medal after 3rd overall in Spanish season closer
Jeffrey Herlings signed off a full and successful 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season with 3rd position at the Grand Prix of Castilla la Mancha today in Cozar. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing man lifted his fifteenth trophy of a year in which he was one of three riders battling for the title in the 20th and final round of the term. He was P1 in the 40th and final moto.
The third Grand Prix on Spanish soil this season brought MXGP to a new venue; Cozar in Cuidad Real and the southern center of the country. The teams had taken one week to breathe and recover from the journey back to Europe after an eventful Grand Prix of China and travelled to the hardpack and slick circuit eager for discovery and to wrap the MXGP championship.
On Saturday Herlings raced to 2nd in the last RAM Qualification Heat and confirmed the second pick of slots in the start gate for Sunday. In MX2 Adamo was 9th.
Sunday started hot and the temperatures increased as a decent crowd travelled to Cozar anticipating title fights in both classes. Herlings was pushed wide in the first corner of the opening moto and exited the track. He reentered the course after the first jump and was later penalized three positions, dropping from a charge to 3rd on track to 6th. In the second moto Herlings made a great start in 2nd place and through dusty conditions passed world champion Jorge Prado to take the checkered flag.
Herlings accumulated 944 points from forty motos and nineteen Saturday RAM Qualification Heat races this year. He won four Grands Prix, 13 motos and managed 15 podiums after a long and solid campaign of racing from February to early October. He was just 42 points from Tim Gajser in 2nd place and 52 from Jorge Prado in 1st.
Jeffrey Herlings, 6th and 1st for 3rd overall in MXGP: “I don’t agree to have been docked three positions in the first moto. It hurts a little bit. Overall it’s been a positive championship. It could have been better for the final result if my starts were there but that’s also something I have work on. Congratulations to Jorge. He was the best and he deserves it this year.”
Results MXGP Castilla la Mancha 2024
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 1-4
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 2-3
3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 6-1
Final MXGP standings 2024
1. Jorge Prado (ESP), GASGAS, 996 points
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 986
3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 944