MXGP rookie Kay de Wolf continues to make his mark in the premier class, going head-to-head with countryman Jeffrey Herlings on home soil at Arnhem on his way to an impressive P2 overall. In this Debrief feature, the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing rider reflects on his home GP and the battle with Herlings.

Image: Supplied.

Positive home Grand Prix

Yeah, definitely, it was really positive. Two weeks ago, I couldn’t even put up a fight against Jeffrey [Herlings]. We worked on my starts, we worked on several things, my fitness, and yeah, I’m just really pleased to be able to put up a fight against Jeffrey. And yeah, like you said, he won 17 home GPs, so to beat him around a sand track isn’t easy, but I tried everything and a bit more. So yeah, I gave it all I had, but we need to wait another time to beat him.

Fighting with Jeffrey Herlings

Yeah, of course. Jeffrey is the greatest of all time in MXGP, or I think even in the whole world. So, to even be able to fight against him and have the words from him that I annoyed his day, that’s a pleasure, actually. That’s also what I told him. It’s amazing to hear that, and it’s only making me stronger for the future. So, I’m really happy. Eight years ago, I was still watching him, and now I’m racing against him. So, it’s unreal, and I’m very pleased with my day.

Image: Supplied.

Taking the next step

I just got to put in the work in the winter, and hopefully we can improve the bike a little bit, which they’re working really hard for. I’m pretty sure with the new bike coming, it’s going to be a big step. So yeah, I’m just really looking forward to having a good winter and really, really working hard because I think if I had a short winter, I could be up for a fight for a world title, and yeah, that’s the ultimate dream. So, let’s see.

That second moto

Yeah, honestly, I was struggling in that second moto when I was behind Jeffrey. I really wasted quite some energy. I didn’t land the jumps clean, I didn’t go into the turns clean. I was actually struggling from my side because I think I was pushing so hard. So, yeah, I just gave it all I had and I just held on for dear life. In the end, I couldn’t hold on anymore. My bike kicked out to the right and my front wheel just grabbed a handful of dirt and, yeah, went down. I mean, I gave it all I had, so I can’t go to bed tonight and think, ‘What if I gave it all?’ I’ve done literally everything I could. So, that’s it.

Dutch MXoN team thoughts

We are riders, we’re not team managers for our country. So, I think we’ll have a few meetings this week. Yeah, I’m looking to Jeffrey, we both have got something to say, I guess, but of course, we’re not the team managers, so I think we could put in a decent result. I will fight for my country, that’s one thing for sure. I’ve always been having good results at the Nations, and I will fight 110 percent for my country.