Jeffrey Herlings on Jett Lawrence vs Haiden Deegan rivalry: 'I already conquered the USA'

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

19:30, 28 May

Andrew McLarney is a MotoGP reporter for GPBlog. With three years as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries, his early passion for combat sports evolved into a deep interest in UFC and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross as well as F1 and GT racing.

The AMA Pro Motocross season is set to kick off this weekend in Pala, California, with everyone anticipating a competitive clash between Australia's Jett Lawrence and 'Danger Boy' Haiden Deegan.

Five-time MXGP champion Jeffrey Herlings has given his thoughts on the upcoming AMA Pro Motocross season after it was announced that the Coenen brothers would wildcard at select Nationals throughout the USA this year.

Herlings, who won last weekend's MXGP of France and now trails the older Lucas Coenen by just eight points in the championship, previously made the step over the USA himself in what came to be one of the most iconic rivalries in the sport's history.

That’s why I don’t go back to USA. I came, I saw, I conquered and that is good enough for me.

- Jeffrey Herlings

Immortalized in the popular documentary by Ash Sowman, Herlings took on the challenge for a European to head across the pond and compete with some of America's best riders in the AMA pro Motocross series. This soon sparked a rivalry with American champion Eli Tomac which would continue at various events like the MX of Nations over the years.

Nowadays, it is much more common to see riders making the step over to America, with talents like the Lawrence brothers, Jorge Prado and recent 450 Supercross Champion Ken Roczen starting out on the European circuit.

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Herlings has 'conquered' USA already

Speaking after his French GP victory, Herlings gave the following assessment of the continued USA vs Europe rivalry as Coenen takes up the mantle:

"It’s going to be a heck of a season if we continue racing like this. You know, Lucas is super good, and I’m looking forward to seeing him race also in America to see where our MXGP level is."

"I am looking forward to Teutschenthal next weekend, and hopefully it’s going to be less stressful races than here today."

He then weighed in on this weekend's upcoming battle between Lawrence and Deegan in Pala:

"That’s why I don’t go back to USA. I came, I saw, I conquered and that is good enough for me. There’s a lot of rumors about Lucas going to the USA, maybe in the future, next year, whenever. I think it’s good to get his feet wet. I am curious. [...] I think already last year at the [Motocross of] Nations, he was actually the only one who could kind of stay with Jett and now we have to see how Jett comes back, and also with Haiden [Deegan], I’m quite curious."

"I’m quite curious to see how he does. I’m actually very pleased that he goes because it will really show where we are at. But at the end of the day, I think and I hope he will not take too many risks, because at the end of the day, people want to see us fight for a championship."

Earlier in the season, Lucas Coenen obliterated the entire field in Sardinia, including Herlings, who later described him as the best rider in the world right now.

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Jeffrey Herlings on Jett Lawrence vs Haiden Deegan rivalry: 'I already conquered the USA'

Herlings has 'conquered' USA already

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