IN
THE
WIND
P30
HERLINGS TO REMAIN IN MX2
J
effrey Herlings, MX2 World
Champion in 2012 and
2013, will return to racing
in the same class in 2016,
KTM Factory Racing has
announced. The decision
was reached at a meeting
between KTM's Motorsports
Department and Herlings.
The Dutch rider has al-
ways been a major player in
the class over the past four
seasons but lost a good part
of the past two seasons due to
injury. Herlings will race along-
side Red Bull KTM Factory
Racing Team's Pauls Jonass
and Davy Pootjes.
"After all the bad luck I had in
the past seasons I want to race
again in MX2 and go for my third
world title in 2016," Herlings
said. "I want to thank KTM for
putting their trust in me and giv-
ing me this opportunity to hope-
fully finish business in this class.
It is not necessary for me to step
up to MXGP because of the age
limit, but if I win the title next year
I would definitely move up to the
big class the following year."
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports
Director, said, "I am very happy
that Jeffrey is healthy and strong
again after three serious inju-
ries. But now it's time for him
to put all that behind him and
concentrate on what we know
will be his bright future. I am
absolutely confident that it is
the right decision for Jeffrey
to concentrate on making his
comeback in the MX2 class.
Now he needs to build up a new
platform; then he can move onto
the next steps in his career." CN
JIM O'NEAL ON THE MEND
J
im O'Neal, founder of O'Neal USA, was injured
during the recent SCORE Baja 1000 after
riding into barbed wire—a suspected booby trap
on the course. O'Neal, who is an avid racer and
multi-time champion in SCORE events, was badly
injured in the crash, which included broken bones
and lacerations. Through the help of fellow com-
petitors, O'Neal was able to ride the bike through
to the next pit and hand the bike off before being
airlifted to the hospital.
O'Neal is reportedly out of the hospital and
back home, and fortunately did not suffer head
trauma in the crash. He is also glad to report that
his team went on to win Class 30 in the Baja 1000
and wrap up the Class 30 number one plate in the
SCORE Championship. CN
Red Bull KTM's Jeffrey Herlings will
return to the MX2 class in 2016.
PHOTOGRAPHY
COURTESY
KTM
IMAGES
