Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings will be back for this weekend’s Indonesian round of the 2018 MXGP World Championship at Pangkal Pinang, returning from the broken collarbone that forced him to miss Lombardia.

Herlings currently holds a 12-point lead in the point-standings despite missing Ottobiano, aiming to maintain his red plates despite minimal on-bike preparation in the lead-up to this weekend.

“With this injury it would have been better to come back in Europe, but I am still going to be in good shape because my physical work will be the same as always,” Herlings explained. “It isn’t that hot in Europe at the moment, so that will be the same for everyone. Many riders live near Holland or Belgium, so it’s going to be tough for everyone and, for sure, for me.

“The first round we just get used to riding again and we don’t go there to try and dominate like all the other rounds this year. We will just see how it comes and get a fifth if that is all there is. I am very motivated to be back racing and see all the guys – it was painful watching the racing in Ottobiano on television.”

Prior to his injury, Herlings had dominated the opening part of the grand prix season with eight overall victories – including seven clean-sweeps – during the first 10 rounds. Lombardia was won by KTM teammate Antonio Cairoli, who is second in the championship.