Glenn Coldenhoff

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Glenn Coldenhoff remains one of the most consistent riders in the MXGP championship. Always around that fifth to 10^th position in the overall results, the Dutchman holds down seventh place in the series points and is still a mathematical chance of finishing in the top five.

Only poor results in the second round of the Indonesian leg of the series, where he scored just 10 points with 18-14 results and a DNF in the opening race of the Russian GP, have been the low points for Coldenhoff, and his consistency has been rewarded on many occasions as many of his rivals finish outside the top ten.

Despite his consistency, Coldenhoff is yet to finish on the podium, but has finished top five on five occasions, and inside the top ten in 16 of the 18 rounds run. Solid as a rock, and for sure a rider you can depend on getting results every weekend.

In Bulgaria around three weeks ago, the KTM rider scored 26 points for seventh overall, although the hard pack of Sevlievo caused him a lot of issues as he tried to cope with the slippery conditions.

“I was struggling a lot in Sevlievo,” Coldenhoff said. “I was very disappointed after the first race. Tracks like this are very old school and hard-packed ground. The second race was pretty good and I was up there with Tony and Jeffrey. I could follow [Clement] Desalle for quite a while and although finishing seventh was a bit disappointing I gave all I had today. Seventh overall through a difficult weekend is still quite solid.”

Onto Turkey after Bulgaria and Coldenhoff replied on good starts and staying on the pace of the front runners. With a podium finish in his sights, he was a little disappointed with another seventh overall, but knew that the deep sand of Assen was coming after his Turkish result.

“The weekend started well and I finished fourth on Saturday with a good feeling on the track. I knew it would be tough Sunday but with decent starts I could be up front fighting with the guys. I definitely believed the podium was possible this weekend. I was struggling a bit in the beginning of the first race but sixth was OK. I started better in the second race but I made a mistake and I think only the three local riders were behind me at that point! I fought through the pack and came home in seventh. Overall solid, but these are not the results that we want. We’ll have a couple of days off now after all these GPs in a row, the heat and all the travelling and to be ready for Assen.”

That seventh place in Turkey continued the solid performances by Coldenhoff, but the biggest and most enjoyable race for the sand specialist comes in Assen this coming weekend. With three GPs in a row now out of the way, the Dutchman can go to Assen feeling confident after winning an International race last weekend in Belgium.

Author:

Geoff Meyer