Dr Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President, with Jeffrey Herlings, winner of the Hans de Beaufort trophy.
Multi-time FIM Motocross World Champion Jeffrey Herlings was awarded with the prestigious “Hans de Beaufort trophy” on the occasion of the KNMV Gala at the Amphion Theater in Doetinchem, The Netherlands.
The trophy represents the highest honour in Dutch Motorsports and is handed over once a year to a sportsman who has delivered a performance of world class and who has also proved to be a real ambassador for motorsport and KNMV.
Hans de Beaufort was a rider in the 2nd World War who has lost his own life while he tried to save the lives of many others.
Statement from the board of KNMV, the “Koninklijke Nederlandse Motorrijders Vereniging”:
“Jeffrey is a triple world champion motocross with one title in the 85cc and two in the MX2 class.
In both 2014 and 2015 Jeffrey was gloriously leading the World Championship series, but he was struck by bad luck on several occasions and was unable to extend his impressive list of world titles. Yet before he was injured he had proved to be the best MX2 rider in the world by far.
In order to win the Hans de Beaufort trophy one needs to deliver world class performances, which he has done by remaining at top sports level for a number of years, but one has to act as an ambassador for motorcycling as well.
The second element in particular has convinced the board of the KNMV to grant this award to Jeffrey right now. As years went by Jeffrey has developed more and more into a real ambassador for both the KNMV and the sport. As time a professional sportsman permits he is prepared to make contributions to the development of the sport, also towards young riders”.
FIM Europe President Dr. Wolfgang Srb, who has handed over the trophy to Jeffrey Herlings, stated: “He is a rider with an incredible talent. Everything he does on the bike looks so easy, what is probably the highest level of riding. He has developed over the years to a real ambassador of the sport and has the potential to become one of the most successful Motocross riders in the history of the sport”.
Dr Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President, with Jeffrey Herlings, winner of the Hans de Beaufort trophy.
From the left Patrice Assendelft, CEO of KNMV, Martin de Graaff, 1st Vice President FIM Europe, Dr Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President and Jan de Geus, KNMV President.
