For veteran rider Glenn Coldenhoff of the Fantic factory team, the opening four rounds of the 2024 MXGP championship are not what he wanted or expected. In eight place in the series points and not too far off sixth and seventh placed rider Jeremy Seewer and Calvin Vlaanderen, the Dutchman can very quickly move up the rankings and turn things around.

Coldenhoff was flying the flag for the all-new Fantic Factory Racing team at the opening round at the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina, kicking off the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship in the beautiful scenery of Villa La Angostura.

The likeable Dutchy proved his good feelings on the Fantic in pre-season were correct, with a strong fifth place in the first-time practice of the new MXGP season. After a good start in the qualifying race, he slipped in the first lap and lost several positions. Glenn fought back and secured the 12th gate pick for Sunday’s races.

Fast out of the gate in race 1, the Flying Dutchman found himself battling it out in the top group. His strong race pace and physical condition allowed him to cross the finish line in sixth place. The start of race 2 was not as perfect as the first one and Glenn struggled to find the pace in the first laps of the moto while the front riders pulled away. The Fantic Factory rider tried to make up ground, eventually finishing in eighth, which resulted in a solid P7 overall.

“Despite the start of the weekend being a bit slow, in the end we found solutions for the race. I was 12th in Saturday’s qualifying race because of a collision on the first lap. On Sunday, there was quite some action, I was 6th in the first moto while in the second one I didn’t feel comfortable, I couldn’t push, and I just couldn’t feel it. I finished 8th which is not what we are working for but still, I am happy because it’s a very sketchy track and not one of my favourites. We will take both results and look forward to the Spanish GP because I know I can do very well there. I’m very motivated and I’m very happy with the bike and the team.”

Round two in Spain and despite feeling unwell during the week, Coldenhoff managed to put in a strong performance, starting the Spanish GP off with a fifth place in the Qualifying Race on Saturday. In Race one, Coldenhoff did not get the best of starts but his solid race pace allowed him to quickly move into the top 10 and make his way up to sixth spot. Race 2 started in a similar way. The Dutchman was charging hard and set his sights on a top 5 finish but unfortunately, with three laps to go he tipped over and broke his clutch lever. While trying to restart Glenn received outside assistance which resulted in a disqualification from the moto and, consequently, a 14th place overall.

“Having spent all week in bed and not doing any training at all it was really tough, even on Saturday I was still a bit sick. Nevertheless, I did a pretty decent qualifying race finishing in P5. Physically I started to feel better on Sunday but for sure it was not ideal because I could not approach the weekend like I am used to do. It was really tough, but the first moto was okay, the speed was good, and I was happy with the bike and the suspension. To come back from a bad start to sixth place is not that easy in this field, so that was alright. In the second moto the start was again not so good, but I pushed hard and passed quite some riders. I was catching the rider in P5 but then I just tipped over and broke my clutch lever. Restarting the bike was very difficult and I ended up with zero points. Normally, this never happens to me, and I am just really sad because I feel like I have been more consistent this year than ever before. Even without making the pass I would have finished in sixth and fifth overall, that would have been decent. It is time to go home now, rest a little bit, try to get healthy again and prepare for Riola. I have some good memories there so hopefully we will do the best there.”

In Race one in Sardinia, Coldenhoff was fast out of the start gate and found himself in the front group right from the beginning, eventually crossing the finish line in a strong fourth place. At the start of the second moto, Coldenhoff lost several positions after a contact with another rider in turn 1. Glenn had to come back from outside the top 15 and had to settle for ninth place and sixth overall.

“The first moto was quite okay, I had a good start and could keep my pace, P4 was definitely not bad. I think that was the most positive note this weekend. The start was good again in the second moto, but I got tangled up with other riders in the first turn. I was far back, I pushed hard but I was struggling a bit. I didn’t show what I was capable of. Even though I gave everything my speed wasn’t that good and I could only finish in P9. Sixth overall is still decent but it’s not what I am working for so hard. I want to perform well and be around the podium spots. I know it’s hard in the MXGP class at the moment, but I feel that I am definitely capable of being there on a good day. We keep working, we are doing some tests on Wednesday and get ready for Arco – to hopefully be on the box there.”

The last round in Trentino, Italy, Coldenhoff was phenomenal in the qualifying race on Saturday, placing the Fantic XXF 450 in third for a promising start to the MXGP of Trentino. In Sunday’s races, the Dutchman could not quite take profit from the good gate pick. Starting outside the top 15 in race one, Coldenhoff had to settle for ninth place. A better start in race two saw the Fantic Factory Racing Rider inside the top 10 right from the beginning, a strong sixth place earned him seventh overall.

” Saturday was really good; I had a good start and was second for a while. In the end Gajser took me but third was still a confidence boost going into Sunday. My starts were not that great today, especially in the first moto I was in middle of the pack. I also did a small mistake and ended up ninth. The second moto was a bit better; I was just a little bit off the pace. In the last few laps, I started to get my rhythm. It was way too late but at least I could run the same lap times than the other guys. I will take the positives. We have two weekends off now to work and get ready for three back-to-back races to hopefully make some more progress. The goal is to be at least in the top 5 – and maybe get a podium.”

Now onto Portugal, where Coldenhoff finished sixth in 2023, fourth in 2022, and ninth in 2019. It might not be his favourite circuit, but his experience and ability to come back from defeats could see him have an all-time best result around the red dirt.

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