Image: Supplied.

Five-time world champion Jeffrey Herlings has indicated that improved consistency across the three-race MXGP format will be key to mounting a title challenge in 2026, with the Honda HRC Petronas recruit currently third in the standings.

The Dutchman has shown race-winning pace across the opening three rounds, although zero-point scores in both the Argentine and Andalucia qualification races have proven costly.

On each occasion, HRC teammate Tom Vialle and Lucas Coenen (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) capitalised by claiming the available 10 championship points.

Herlings responded with victory in Saturday’s qualifying race in Switzerland, although a DNF in moto one due to a chain derailment again impacted his overall result. It’s an area the 31-year-old is aiming to improve entering the MXGP of Sardinia this weekend.

“[It’s] been a busy ‘off’ weekend from the GPs,” commented Herlings. “I raced in England and won, then the next day I raced in Heerde and won, so it was nice to get some wins under my belt and just get some good gate drops against some top-quality riders.

“Obviously, the goal is to keep that going into the weekend, but really the main thing now is to score good points in all three races. So far, I haven’t done that, and it isn’t something I can continue to do if I want to challenge for the title, so that’s the goal in Sardinia.”

Coenen leads the championship with 136 points after three rounds, while Vialle sits second on 129, with Herlings a further five points in arrears.