From Teenage Prodigy to Greatest of All Time: Can Jeffrey Herlings Do It?

Is Jeffrey Herlings truly the fastest man on the planet? And will he be remembered as the greatest dirt bike racer of all time? This year The Bullet is gunning for the all time MXGP win record, so we traveled to the 2023 Hawkstone International Motocross in search of answers and to catch the man in action. We also got to ask the great man himself where he thinks he ranks against the biggest legends of the sport and talked with the KTM Factory Star about the great AMA vs Grand Prix, USA vs European debate.
What do you guys think? Where does Herlings rank on your list of all time greats?
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Here's the link to the Ash Sowman doc - • Americans Want You to ...

[@jakeboarding8016]

First one LETS GOO. PLEASE PIN ME I am big fan from a decade ago

[@999lazer]

Cheers Jake, wow that's a long time. Thanks for watching buddy :)

[@jean-claudefrancoisbaroudd730]

It's an absolute masterpiece of a documentary by Ash Snowman, it's what got me interested in motocross and Jeffrey Herlings !

[@PeterWeir1]

Ash Snoman is a kiwi (New Zealand) that made that great little mini documentary on herlings, much better than Aussies lol I’ve always thought you two would make an awesome collaboration

[@999lazer]

I literally just checked out his insta and realized my blunder on that... my apologies to all Kiwi's! lol Thanks for watching Peter

[@MichaelTucker]

@@999lazer that time Jeffery went to the USA and beat them at their own game!

[@Gazza-zg2tr]

Yes great documentry he smoked the yanks at the Ironman.

[@bigding4507]

NZ is a long forgotten state of Australia

[@mikeowen6605]

@@bigding4507 New Zealand comprises of the North island the South island and West island (Aussie )

[@antoonhermans8953]

as a dutchie i like to see herlings and verstappen , both are without a doubt the best in there sport .

[@thegaviscon1419]

Didn’t expect the ash sowman shout out. It’s a really good video would recommend watching it

[@arne1881]

Yes indeed! I almost did not even know this sport existed before i watched that documentary. And now i'm all in! Exciting times :D

[@boots796]

Ricky Carmichael might have something to say about that GOAT claim. This is coming from a big Herlings fan.

[@999lazer]

Good point but I guess there are really two goats, MXGP and USA. Maybe be one day we'll see a modern day rider that dominates both. JH#84 still has time to go to the USA though.... ;)

[@mazzy4502]

Different mx these days herlings is much faster

[@jakeowens1770]

Maaah!

[@boots796]

@@999lazer If JH#84 ever decides to ride in the nationals he will dominate. If the torch is passed to Sexton I just don't see him having the speed to hang with JH.

[@nathanmcdonald1572]

​@@boots796 lol, what are you smoking? Herlings can't even handle Tim Gasjer 😂

[@scottmorgan6099]

Ash Sowman made the documentary about Jeffery...& he's recently said, he's making another one.

[@mwhitelaw8569]

Now I've been watching MX since the early 70's. Jeffrey is a solid talent for sure, I am happy he's back racing. But there is a lot of up and comers that are going to test him. Hopeful he has a good year

[@jeffdown9259]

I’ve been watching MX for many decades and it’s extremely rare to see someone so exciting race! Watching Herlings pass so many champs on the outside is fantastic! Such an exciting racer to watch, maybe Stewart was as fun, but Herlings, wow!

[@kevinmee3501]

Top quality video max, I think Jeffrey can win another world championship as long as he can stay injury free, great interview with him max , he knows how good he really is and smash those records.

[@999lazer]

Thanks Kevin

[@manfrommontreal]

He's one of the all time greats!

[@brooksy2093]

@999Laser the guy who did that video you were talking about was Ash Sowman.

[@lewisrichardson4534]

Come on , he had attitude at first but Jeffry was quiet young, i think he’s matured well. Fair play jef you got talent bro ,

[@esdrehtsich9289]

That was great to watch ! I think it would be very interesting to see some GP‘s with you „shadowing“ 1 rider 👍👍

[@rogermelling8941]

All your vlogs are class 👌 Herlings when fully healthy is unmatched in my opinion

[@999lazer]

Thanks Roger

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching Roger, really appreciate it dude! I'd have to agree with you there i think

[@gareththornton3917]

Nice to meet u at hawkstone. Top guy had a good chat regarding 125.perhaps u could organise a 2 stroke track day in summer. All the best Gareth.

[@999lazer]

Hey Gareth, awesome to meet you. More 125 filming happening today! :-D I've always fancied hosting a track day, we'll see if we can make one happen. All the best mate!

[@davidmc3262]

the first time I went to hawtstone as I walked up to the track for Saturday quantifying I remember seeing dave Thorpe do a massive jump before flying up the hill that would have been maybe 91 or 2 . it still sticks in my mind . this guy is just the next level be interesting to see him on a 500 2 stroke. great vid as always pal👍

[@999lazer]

Thank you David

[@Erik-gg2vb]

He is fast but the injury bug has been his problem.

[@cowboy4299]

Ricky Carmichael two seasons undefeated in motocross i’d say he’s the goat

[@999lazer]

RC's 10 straight outdoor titles is something that i think will never be matched....in terms of GP's though JH has certainly got to be considered as one of the fastest if not the fastest to ever do it, right? Thanks for watching! :-D

[@evilsimeon]

In the us.

[@lmtada]

Jean Micheal Bayle, Stephan Everts, Carrioli

[@deanevo800]

Those were no long motocross seasons, and there was no real sand.

[@cowboy4299]

@@deanevo800 didn’t need to be a long season because it came off of the back of the Supercross season as well nearly entire year racing

[@paulaj2829]

I can go back the the days Dave Bickers.. Jeff Smith .. Dave Thorpe & come right the way through to this day & I still think that I've been watching one of the greatest of all time but like in any other sport you cannot compare who is the greatest of all time because they all give you that thing about being the greatest of that time .. Love the video & love all the great riders though my lifetime..

[@andyjackson2269]

Max this video was quality.Thanks mate👍

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching Andy, appreciate it.

[@paulh4094]

How can anyone call him a GOAT with two world MX1 titles? Are you kidding?

[@stevenfields4740]

Pretty sure he himself said he wasn’t so this conversation doesn’t even need to be spoke on

[@dodgybodger3124]

Ya can't take it away from him. He's up there with the BEST. 😉👍

[@marcoguerriot5649]

got to go to hawkstone for the first time and met 999lazer really nice guy to meet hope to see him again at hawkstone next year

[@999lazer]

Great to meet you Marco. Thanks for watching dude :D

[@kinglucci5352]

He needs to come to the US an race I'd like to see how he does against tomac ,sexton, jett

[@999lazer]

would love to see that, if he is fit it would be an awesome battle, especially if it was a sand track:)

[@mrsportybloke1336]

Watch the 2017 KZbin documentary and you will have your answers mate😉

[@kinglucci5352]

@@mrsportybloke1336 Watched that documentary but he needs to come an settle the debate for himself not just one race it'll be legendary if he comes over the pond

[@billybob1773]

You mean those guys need to go and do the world championship series to see if they can perform outside of their own back yard with the half a dozen tracks they use every year that they all know like the back of their hands. US riders used to do it but the current crop seem to think it's too hard and inconvenient, winning races in the US makes you good in the US, being the best in the world you have to perform where the other 95% of the worlds population lives as well.

[@kinglucci5352]

@@billybob1773 Who won the Des nations this year?

[@davidr1997]

Great video!! GO BULLIT!! 🚀🚀

[@francoamadogustin2715]

Greatest of All Time is only one, RICKY CARMICHAEL! Fast rider in the world ? JAMES STEWART

[@Quasi-stellar_object]

If Herlings stays uninjured, he will be champion and beat the GPs record 100%.

[@999lazer]

Agreed

[@tacoenvy]

And Tim’s injured so that would have been his main rival pretty much.

[@travismcgarry]

Hahaha Ash Snowman made the video, a Kiwi… he’s going to love the Aussie comment 😂😂😂😂

[@999lazer]

Yeah, that's my bad...I've already apologized to ash! lol

[@maximuswedgie5149]

DeCoster name still relevant. Epic.

[@wilco300674]

Herling told on the Dutch tv, he was not going for the first place the first races at all. he wants to get in the competition rhythm again first and was happy if he would end between 3th and 8th place. So all goes according to the plan. kzbin.info/www/bejne/poepmIuHjqd4hJo

[@johncooper9746]

been a Herlings fan for 10 years. Injuries have written out the 84 from toppling Evarts and Cairoli. Just see what happens for the last couple years.

[@brentcorley4031]

RC is the goal. His 10 year dominance will never be matched. Out of the 19 championships he raced for he won 16 only losing his first 97 ,99,00 supercross years.(and sat out 04) he never lost a outdoor title and has 3 perfect champions. 98 125 supercross 02 and 04 outdoors. Herlings will go down as one of the elite but he’s not the goat.

[@ssrider7]

Why people don’t talk about Tim Gajser,he is mx2 champion and 4 time 450 mxgp champion,probably next to JS7 best scrubs in history! Unfair towards us who know him personally and race with him on some races.

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Brilliant video 👍🏻

[@999lazer]

Glad you enjoyed it, Thank you

[@zim7489]

Would be so Nice to see Jeffrey race ama mx

[@roosthrower]

Love ya work max

[@999lazer]

Thanks Muppet

[@theshootindutchman]

Seems like a great guy! Hi Holland 😄

[@Docs77TV]

Tony cairolli was great in his day , looking forward to watching this Max

[@999lazer]

Thanks Docs, its an interesting one and some good action in there too.

[@Maddog165]

He’s clearly really fast and has won a ton of races. But with speed comes crash probabilities and injuries. He’s certainly experienced a host of major crashes and injuries. He’s thrown away many championship opportunities by his speed. He said it himself, not the GOAT, but likely to top the overall win record. I agree with Jeffrey that to be GOAT need more championships. For me there’s two GOATS. Ricky Carmichael in USA Nationals and Everts in MXGP championship series.

[@slab6993]

Carmichael or James bubba Stewart got the goat title but Jeffrey Herlings is an awesome rider...and it was a real pleasure to watch him race after a year out.

[@susygomez7872]

All the past riders & current ones don't have that beast DNA or killer instinct. And the bullet has the quality,he might not be at the level at the moment..but it's coming it's in his nature.🙏

[@twohotgt4uwarner336]

If he's best then he needs to show up for the superceoss 3 races at racing tracks in the USA. Great video. Not saying he's not but he needs to race here this year to prove it.

[@billybob1773]

He's already in the best series, that's why it's called "world" and not raced in one country like US nationals are, US riders need to pony up and prove themselves on the world stage like they used to

[@twohotgt4uwarner336]

@@billybob1773 yeah we got Rider here who good as him.. that's the point those tracks are new to everyone so that's why he needs to show up here. I don't agree best in the world..

[@billybob1773]

​@@twohotgt4uwarner336 If the rider there is as good as him where are the world titles?who in their right mind would want a US national mx title compared to a world mx title.I can understand riders from elsewhere wanting to go to the US to learn supercross as that's where supercross is the biggest and most competitive but not motocross, there's plenty of fast mx guys in mxgp apart from Herlings

[@twohotgt4uwarner336]

@@billybob1773 here you go with world championship. If the world champion is what you keep saying about him then show up here And prove it. I'm not saying he not fast because he is real fast. He said it himself Tomac is the one dude he has to beat. Herlings said he knows he bad dude. Sexton my crash but fast. That the point on WORLD BEST.

[@Jukkzter]

Best ever? You do know that Stefan Everts is still alive and breathing, no?

[@999lazer]

Yes sir, we do. Watch the video and you'll see we talk to Jeffrey about that very thing ;)

[@susygomez7872]

The bullet is the man of motocross!!

[@mentalmaxi5555]

he was chilling all day i think, but also didnt seam happy after the super final, idk but the most impressive rider at hawkstone was van donick, with tim out hrc should be keeping an eye on him

[@HillBilly1905]

Man definitely can’t compare MXGP to motocross. Jeff is one of the best MXGP riders and Ricky is the motocross GOAT. Hearing Jeffrey say that Eli and Chance were faster this year was really awesome.

[@999lazer]

That honestly surprised me when he said that! Thanks for watching Billy

[@quintengiegas6330]

Did you just call ama motocross?????? Motocross is the name that was invented in Europe mxgp is the world champion ship so that would be motocross ama is just Americans thinking there better again

[@HillBilly1905]

@@quintengiegas6330 man relax we all love anything that has to do with motorcycles. I watch MXGP motocross and supercross. I don’t care what’s better I just like watching the gnarliest dudes in the world smash on a motorcycle. Don’t let your hurt feelings ruin your day sir

[@lyntonryan4766]

In my opinion Ricky Carmichael will be the best Motocross rider for a long time to come , I went to the Hawkstone meeting then watched the post race interview Herlings didn't sound confident about anything and the lad 259 on that Yamaha sounded right up for the gig , let's see what happens shall we !!!!

[@dlz90]

Like he said himself he's not the best in the world ever, is there any such thing ? But boy he's sure in that category no doubt about it brilliant

[@shonwontongpingpong1590]

seen herlings a few times, when he’s on it he is the fastest man on this planet hands down, When I was in the states last year they just wasn’t herlings. Jett looked impressive on the 450 at mxon. But man it’s a hard debate I really think herlings. But I’ll tell you what the hof looked seriously fast at hawkstone.

[@CR250rSMITH]

I wished motocross tracks could stay the exact same so lap times could be compared

[@Elysian_Angel_]

Eric Geboers (RIP), Stefan Everts and Joel Smets might have a different idea.

[@Zedifier]

Well didnt everts win 10 in a row? He's the true goat to me but Herlings is for sure a legend aswell

[@thomasvinsen1410]

Goat? You have to be able to stay in two wheels to be a goat. He has never finished a series without missing a round or two with injury. He is no goat

[@vaughanscott7308]

Villipotos mx denations on his 250 was the greatest race in history for speed and skill.

[@mikeowen6605]

Ash Snowman is a New Zealander not a bloody Aussie. And his channel is epic.

[@999lazer]

My bad on that one, i can only apologize to all Kiwi's! lol

[@alienchoto]

Legend

[@kevinjude4735]

I'd say carmicheal aswell but nothing stopping herlings carrying on for afew more years an trying take the G.O.A.T.status

[@rgregleet2253]

I do believe he is the fastest in the world!!

[@999lazer]

In my opinion he might be the fastest rider ever...especially on a 250! Thanks for watching dude

[@straighttimestirrups]

Where is the link to the documentary?

[@999lazer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iF6lnZiQoLOXe7c - Here's the Ash Sowman video

[@straighttimestirrups]

@@999lazer Absolutely great video! How this guy isn’t making money in the industry with his obvious skill is beyond me!

[@nzslackie]

​@@straighttimestirrups watch his other videos... They are top class

[@arif_motovlog]

Gooooood from indonesia

[@dannyhigginson5843]

I have been a Herlings fan for ever, but you can't win races when you're injured. Look at James Stewart, more speed than anyone on the track, but crashed too often. I feel that Herlings is in that boat. Maybe he needs to ride at 95% of his talent and finish races. I hope he comes back from a year off the bike and smashes it.

[@999lazer]

Same here dude. I think there's really two arguments, fastest man of all time (Stewart vs Herlings) and great career of all time (RC vs Everts) Thanks for watching Danny

[@baeruuttehei1393]

I'm looking out for what my '4 miles down the road neighbour' can do this season!

[@999lazer]

That's a pretty cool neighbor! Thanks for watching Baer

[@baeruuttehei1393]

@@999lazer my pleasure, Max!

[@HUSKY7-1]

Is Hawkstone Park the best MX track in the world? A whole new debate.......

[@raymondharold5973]

He is smart enough not to go out and eat poop just to win a race that really doesn’t matter. Seeing where he’s at now after being off the starting grid for a year is a huge signal to the competition that 2nd is all that they can expect!

[@markkarlosayo3714]

lol

[@moto1p1]

RC is

[@vidbanovec7818]

herlings is probably the fastest itw but gajser is by my opinion better overall and if gajser didnt get injured i think he would beat herlings in mxgp

[@stkyfngrszmooth]

Winning and all the perks of doing so doesn't make someone great. It's their absolute hatred and intolerance for losing is what does. Herlings doesn't have that. Only riders like Carmichael and McGrath had that and that's why they are the greatest of all time.

[@giuseppeleuzzi4054]

if herlings is the best in history then Cairoli played golf

[@jimgoose9146]

Herlings is a nutjob on a bike . I actually get scared watching him . Its like wayching a go pro last lap of the isle of man .absoulutely rivets me to the seat

[@mrsportybloke1336]

Jeffrey Herlings and Ricky Carmichael in their prime who would .win that’s a tough one.

[@nathanmcdonald1572]

No it's not, Herlings would get smoked. Dude isn't even better than Gasjer...

[@carlcocho8747]

Next race jeffry dangerous

[@keithpeterson6108]

Click bait title I watched the entire video & no Ricky Carmichael. The title says GOAT but never saw the GOAT.

[@glencaines948]

Roger DeCoster

[@mezzalley2410]

There is only one goat and it's RC

[@FlynnKells]

ash sowman is a kiwi btw

[@999lazer]

My bad on that one!

[@odinhaturini3677]

And they say Eli a goat heeling smokeed him when he came to the americas

[@999lazer]

It would be awesome to see them race for an entire season!

[@dylanhayes2092]

Pretty sure the guy who made the doco was a kiwi NZ

[@999lazer]

Yep you're right, that's my bad!

[@nzslackie]

​@@999lazer kinda like calling a Canadian American, or a Scot English!

[@parkour1200]

🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱herlings

[@mitchellsmith9531]

Did a mcadoo

[@panicrev555]

Alright fanboy, he has to prove it in the states before he can wear that crown. And I think MXGP-wise TC222 is whipping Herlings on championships.

[@billybob1773]

No, he's already won more often than not in the US, US riders need to go and ride the world series before any of them can wear that crown

[@nathanmcdonald1572]

Lol, Herlings isn't even remotely close to being the GOAT 😂 Carmichael would absolutely destroy him. Herlings would break himself in half by Round 3 trying to keep up with RC, dude is made of glass

[@jeremysilvey2294]

he can't ride supercross, end of the goat conversation.

[@brendtoconnell6119]

I wonder if Herlings will pull the middle finger out again.

[@999lazer]

Haha What a moment in MX history that was! lol

[@ryanoconnor2194]

The gout

[@grrozikisrozi504]

Herlings is a fantastic rider. But not the best. It is unnecessary to compare with the results of old competitors. I think a person has much more important values. Dave Thorpe is the king for me.

[@TylerDurrrden1]

Does gp really jus not have many jumps or rhythm sections or does it jus look like that? Every gp vid I’ve seen alwys jus looks like most corners n straight always. American tracks seem way more difficult n technical.

[@billybob1773]

read what Ryan Hughes has to say about tracks and the reason why he thinks there won't be another US world MX champion kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJLaqKOhm7GGoc0

[@lmtada]

No. Carolli, Everts, Decoster, Mikkola, Jean Micheal Bayle, Smets, Malherbe, Gebeors were all better European Mx champs than Herlings.

[@Scandle68]

He's a bad dude for sure, but nowhere near GOAT status. That's RC with Tomac next in line

[@billybob1773]

Tomac has done nothing outside the US, RC was definitely the best of his time

[@Scandle68]

@@billybob1773 Tomac doesn't race outside the U.S. in case you haven't noticed. He does win titles in mx as well as sx. That's not to mention spanking everyone on a muddy track at mxon 2023. I'm not saying he should be the GOAT, but he's far more accomplished and skilled in multiple areas compared to Herlings.

[@claytonandrews1907]

Greatest of all time at what? Wrecking over and over and out for the season again

[@callumratcliffe7402]

7+2= ORCASTRATED CHAOS/EVENT/SCRIPTED REALITY!!

[@Gpx111]

I don't think he can to many gps missed carolli far in the horizon rarely got in jured not missing big chunks of the season . Stick everts in . From 80s geboera Thorpe malbre jobe

[@mr2981]

How many championships does he have again? Greatest of all time you say? edit: And exactly zero Supercross starts?

[@evilsimeon]

Supercross only maters in the US, no one else cares.

[@mr2981]

@@evilsimeon He doesn't even have the most GP championships. He's not even the GP GOAT.

[@mr2981]

@@evilsimeon Oh, and Vialle cares, just to name the most recent GP Champ who went to the US.

[@billybob1773]

@@mr2981 Vialle didn't think he was ready to race MXGP class and he was age expired for MX2, but what has Vialle got to do with Herlings?

[@mr2981]

@@billybob1773 OP said only Americans care about Supercross. I gave a current example of a world champion (one of many through the years) who did care. Had you read the thread you'd already know that,

[@jamespatterson2002]

greatest of all time???!!!! put the crack pipe down

[@999lazer]

We do talk to JH#84 in the video and he is so humble about his achievements. He can pass Everts GP win tally this year, but admits the 10 titles will never be beaten.

[@claytonandrews1907]

Well why don't you guys just dump 100 tons of sand on every track in Europe so he won't crash

[@tam1381]

I can answer that NO.

[@Steezy_Mx]

😂 🤣

[@propacollector3499]

4 strokes nooooooooooooo

[@procircuit1988]

hell no

[@mehoffjack1874]

Not even close to goat