GateDrop rider of the year: Jeffrey Herlings!
Jonathan McCready: Who else could it be? This was the year of Jeffrey Herlings career, maybe not in speed but certainly in drama and producing when it mattered after being tested in every way imaginable all year long.
2018 was probably the fastest Jeffrey Herlings we have ever seen but this year was maybe even more impressive to me albeit for different reasons. Coming off two years of bad injuries including the mental anguish and the scariness of being temporarily paralysed last year while leading the series in a crash when he wasn’t even pushing. So for Herlings to come back and still win after all that is impressive enough but do do it the way he did it in 2021 is pretty mind blowing.
Getting landed on and breaking his shoulder blade (then somehow, someway still winning that moto) it looked like his title dream was over yet again. But Herlings came back earlier than advised to get the red plate back until a first corner DNF cost him his points lead. Two more big crashes ensued followed by two amazing comeback rides and then that last round with a statement last moto to pass Febvre and put in fastest laps of the day to rubber stamp his title – then having the presence of mind and determination to hold off Gajser for the moto win to negate the couple of points Cairoli gave him back in Arco! The poise under immense pressure was unbelievable. Another title defeat would have been crushing but the mental composure to win under that pressure and produce the speed that no-one else on the planet can match when he really needed it after all those injuries, Herlings showed why he is the best motocross rider in the world right now.
He is on the brink of being the, to borrow and American phrase, “winningest,” rider in the sport’s history in terms of Grand Prix wins and with five world titles now to his name, putting him alongside the likes of DeCoster and Smets, Herlings’ legacy in the sport is now close to where it should be. Yes, injuries have cost him the chance of statistically being the greatest ever in terms of titles, but Herlings ability to win it this year despite all the obstacles and intense competition will be talked about for years.
Like Everts did in 2001 after his injuries, the Dutchman might just go on a run of titles now but, whatever happens form here on in, 2021 will go down as arguably the best series in history and it was Herlings who came out on top. Jeffrey is easily the rider of 2021.
But there are other riders who deserve a shout-out. Tim Gajser was immensely impressive yet again, he somehow found more speed over the winter and showed his toughness and determination once more, riding with a freshly plated collarbone to take it to the last round. Romain Febvre was brilliant all year long, maybe the fastest of his career and it was hard not to feel sorry for both riders after that final moto in Mantova, they put everything into that title fight and rode fantastic all year. Then you have that man Antonio Cairoli, who at 36 retired from the sport with 2 more GP wins and was in the title fight until that scary Riola crash to underline his brilliance and justified categorisation as one of the the greatest of all time. Jorge Prado fought back form Covid issues to get himself into the title fight too until that crash in Germany to underline his potential and refusal to give in to anyone. All five were setting a pace and intensity that has maybe never been seen before and all deserve a lot of credit as does Jeremy Seewer for fighting his way into that level at the end of the year and Pauls Jonass who showed some brilliant raw speed to run with the big five despite missing the 2020 season.
When it comes to MX2 Maxime Renaux deserves a standing ovation for his performance. The world champ was flawless all year long, fast in any condition and mentally strong throughout the year no matter what was thrown at him. Renaux delivered virtual perfection in his first real experience of being in a world title battle – and he even admitted he wanted to beat Vialle at the end of the year to prove the title wasn’t a fluke. A* mentality backed up any brilliant riding from the talented and sometimes underrated Frenchman – but nobody can underrate him now! Other standouts from MX2 include Ruben Fernandez improvement and the rookies, Kay de Wolf, Thibault Benistant and Mattia Guadagnini – all fearless, fast and race winners in 2021!
In the USA Cooper Webb’s title in supercross was a lessen in determination and aggression as was Dylan Ferrandis in the 450 class outdoors but all were trumped by that man Herlings (who Ferrandis says is still his toughest ever competitor) in 2021 and that remarkable final moto victory to seal the world title the hard way after a roller-coaster season!
Andy McKinstry: First of all, what a year of racing it was, it was just unbelievable and honestly if the 2022 season is just half as good we will still be well treated to some superb racing. Before I get into Jeffrey Herlings amazing year, a word for Maxime Renaux. Coming into the 2021 season not too many people would have given him a chance of winning the MX2 World Championship and not only did he win the title, he did it in style.
Yes, Tom Vialle and Jago Geerts had issues but Renaux was superb all year long after an underwhelming start to the season in Russia and for 2022 has a new challenge moving up to the MXGP World Championship. The French kid has been through a lot so is a true example for other riders to look up to and hopefully he can have good results in MXGP.
As for Jeffrey Herlings, there’s no doubt about it that this was the toughest championship he’s won in his career. What made this year so impressive is that Herlings isn’t used to close championship battles, the other four he won, he simply dominated so he was under real pressure this year.
Let’s not forget he missed four GP moto’s after getting landed on by Ivo Monticelli in Oss and then Jorge Prado landed on him in Germany too, any other year that probably would have ended Herlings season but it seems like this year was just meant to be.
The ability to ride through the pain barrier and still perform at an unbelievable level (the highest) as he can still win even when he’s in pain is just insane.
Going into the 2022 season Herlings should have a full off season – something he didn’t have in 2021 so he’ll be looking to start the season with a bang. He’s within touching distance of Stefan Everts 101 GP wins record so he is bound to break that record next year but can he win two MXGP titles in a row? If he can stay fully fit he will take some beating but the likes of Jorge Prado, Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre, Jeremy Seewer will be very motivated to do the business in 2022 and win the toughest title in Motorsport.
Bring on the season ahead – it’s setup to be another spectacular season!
Image: Ray Archer
