For many years the bridesmaid, can Glenn Coldenhoff make it to the top step of the podium in MXGP on a Fantic?
Glenn Coldenhoff is one of the most consistent motocross riders in the world. Case in point, the double MX of Nations winner has never finished outside of the top 10 in his nine MXGP seasons. The Fantic factory rider is keen to bounce back, starting at the German GP in Teutschenthal.
Glenn Coldenhoff ended 2023 on a high note, wrapping up his campaign fourth overall. The likable Dutch veteran showed a strong pre-season pace on his Fantic XXF 450, yet struggled to reach his best level during the first batch of world championship rounds.
How do you look back on the first seven GP’s of the season?
“At the moment it’s not going the way I want to. I planned to turn it around during the last three races because these back-to-back races really can set you up for what’s next. The Spanish GP was okay but Portugal and France were pretty bad”.
“I did finish 4th one moto in Agueda, however you keep a bad aftertaste when the overall result is sub-par. Now we get back to it with another three GP’s one after the other. I’m very motivated to get back up there”.
Interesting you mention these ‘blocks of three races’. Do they influence each other more mentally because there’s little time in between them to re-adjust?
“With only a few days in between there’s not a whole lot you can do to improve. Part of your time is dedicated to traveling, another is recovery. This is why the time we had after France was so important to make the best use of it but I’m optimistic for the next GPs.”
Early on Roan van de Moosdijk, a rookie in MXGP, was replaced with Brian Bogers. Did that affect the dynamics of the team for you? To have someone more experienced next to you as a team mate, does it make a difference?
“Not really, I had a good relationship with Roan and the bike setup that he had and what Brian has now is very similar. You have a team mate you can share information with regardless of who that is. I get along well with Brian too. We’ve known each other for a long time”.
Until last year Kevin Strijbos was in Romain Febvre’s corner as a coach. You started working with him since this year. How’s that going?
“It’s very positive, I’m stoked about my collaboration with Kevin. He’s helping me out with everything in terms of preparation. We share the same vision about how to get fit as a motocross athlete. Kevin has so much experience, outside of that he’s very knowledgeable about bike setup and so on which makes him a very valuable resource.”
You worked with a lot of interesting coaches and trainers over the years. Has there been an evolution in how you deal with them?
“I’m open about finding new ways on how to improve. Of course my frame of reference has evolved. After all these years in MXGP I know what works for me and what doesn’t. One thing that stands out is the need for simplicity. You shouldn’t overcomplicate things in your training program. Execute sensible stuff well and hard work will pay off”.
Since last year qualifying races carry more weight with world championship points to be earned for the first ten riders. What’s been the impact of this change on racing in MXGP?
“Even before the introduction of the points scoring system for qualifying MXGP has already become more explosive. In my first seasons in the class it was all about pacing yourself. Get a good start, find your rhythm and perhaps if your fitness was still good make a push towards the end”.
“Now everybody is super fit and from the opening lap the pace is relentless. Right until the flag drops. There’s no space for a breather, every race, is at high intensity. That’s a big difference compared to three or four years ago.”
This season a lot of fans have the impression that racing is tighter and more competitive in MX2. They probably feel that the MXGP riders are less on the limit because of the more powerful machinery, higher risks involved and the added experience of the riders. Do you agree?
“I don’t see it that way, all riders at the front in MXGP are pushing, and taking risks comes with the territory. Most of the time the differences are small. You have about four frontrunners with Gajser, Prado, Febvre and Herlings, next there’s a little group where I normally fit in”.
“You can’t deny that rider mistakes come with a higher penalty on a 450 bike. Jorge (Prado) told me last week that he consciously avoided the jump in Saint-Jean d’Angély where Thibault Bénistant crashed. You just have to hit the deck once to get injured and lose your chance at a world title”.
“On a 450 you can go to the limit and get away with one or two warnings but if you keep on pushing you know you’ll pay the price the third time.”
You didn’t come into the World Championship as a child prodigy, or someone who won a bag of youth World and European titles. Year after year you kept on grinding to establish yourself. What are you most proud of?
“To have made it this far I think. As a kid there was never any overbearing feeling that I would become a factory rider and win GP’s. Okay, I’d like to have had more podiums and more GP victories but we keep on going. I’m still enjoying it and having fun with the hard work but I have to admit that a huge part of the enjoyment comes from the results”.
You did BMX before switching to motocross, and you’re not a second generation MX rider like the majority of elite riders today. Was that a disadvantage coming through the ranks?
“I never considered it to be an obstacle. However, times have changed a lot. Before I started in the European 85cc championship I’d never been to a hard pack track. That’s when we went outside of the country to practice on hard pack for the first time”.
“It’s been a long journey for sure. Still none of this would have happened without outside sponsors. Some of them, like Van de Wetering, have been with me from day one and I’m super grateful for that kind of loyal support.”
You’re pretty good on a BMX bike and the Netherlands have a great tradition in BMX racing. Could you have gone to the Olympics?
“I’m not sure about that, I did BMX competition for two years. It’s a cool sport but I didn’t like that you had to wait so long until the next one lap race so in between the races me and my buddies were digging jumps”.
“When I was racing BMX competitively, my parents came one day with me and the other day we would go MX racing with my brother. I’d figured I would make things a little easier by doing motocross as well. With all those people around me doing MX the lure was evident and it worked out quite nicely, I would get my brother’s old bike and we could train together.”
What’s left on your motocross bucket list after 15 years of GP racing?
“I’d love to win my home GP in the Netherlands in Arnhem. I made the MXGP podium in Assen twice. To stand on the top step of the podium, see the fans and hear the national anthem is a big thrill. I experienced what it means to share such a big win with MX of Nations in Assen in 2019”.
“It’s obviously special to win in Lommel too. It’s the most demanding race of the season and has a huge history so that speaks for itself. I’ve been close on a few occasions in Lommel but I never took the overall.”
Every top rider receives so much more attention, demands on their time when they’re racing their home GP with the added pressure to perform.
“You want it a little bit more when you’re racing for your home fans. You’re more hungry because there are more people coming just for you. I’m also riding for a Dutch team all of that makes it an even bigger opportunity to shine, to be on the top step in your home GP gives great satisfaction”.
Who are the riders that you looked up to when you were younger?
“At the start of my career James Stewart was sort of a superhero. James did things differently and he was an innovator. Just think about the Bubba scrub for example. All of that makes him one of the all-time greats in motocross”.
“Of course there are riders who won more, but Stewart did stuff no one else was doing. He pulled it off with a certain flair and an easy-going way. Okay, he had some low points but the hype surrounding him was absolutely justified”.
Stewart quit racing at 30. How long do you want to keep competing at the highest level?
“I want to continue as long as I can be in the mix, I’m competitive and can win races. I’m 33 now so I’m closer to the exit I’m to the entrance. If a serious injury would happen the decision to quit can be made for you. I have two-year deal with Fantic so the decision to continue will be made on a year-by-year basis”.
What type of riding do you enjoy the most?
“I like it when it’s technical. I prefer the more old-school tracks mixed with lots of jumps, that’s when I have the most fun and of course I still get a kick of racing in the sand. Don’t ask me why, but I think it’s cool”.
Talking about sand, we’re heading to Kegums (Latvia) soon. That’s been a special place in your career, right?
“I won there in my rookie MXGP season and in 2020. It’s time to make it happen again I would say”.
Some MXGP tracks have changed quite a lot over the years. Outsiders don’t realize how much some of these places have evolved over time.
“We’ve seen significant changes to the soil in Lommel for example. They brought in new dirt that hasn’t blended in perfectly so to speak. That’s something you notice more in practice, luckily the track is well prepped before a GP weekend”.
“These changes keep you on your toes, in Kegums they changed the direction of the track. Every time things are modified to a circuit we just have to wait and see how it turns out.”
Is your mindset different for a weekend with the Dutch team rather than an MXGP weekend?
“I like how it’s so different from what we normally do. You’re representing your country, as a member of a team and performing as a team. I’m a proud Dutchman so it gives me additional motivation to take part in this one race where fans travel to support their country rather than an individual rider. Everyone comes together, which creates a lot of energy and our goal is clear, we want to hear the Dutch anthem come Sunday”.
WORDS TOM JACOBS || PHOTOS SHOTBYBAVO