Coming off a stellar double podium for Fantic Factory Racing MXGP, motivation was high heading into the MXGP of Europe in Saint-Jean-d’Angély, France. However, the challenging hillside track and unpredictable weather conditions put the Fantic riders to the test throughout the weekend. Glenn Coldenhoff turned things around in the final MXGP race, grabbing the holeshot aboard his Fantic XXF 450, leading the opening laps, and crossing the line in fourth to secure sixth overall.
After Fantic’s historic result at the MXGP of Castilla La Mancha, Glenn Coldenhoff didn’t arrive in his best shape for round 3 in France, as he was dealing with sickness. Despite this, he was determined to put in a strong performance during Saturday’s time practice. Unfortunately, a heavy crash prevented him from setting a fast lap time, placing him on the outside of the grid for the qualifying race. Even though he launched well off the gate aboard his Fantic XXF 450, he found himself in the mid-pack on the opening lap, just behind his teammates, Andrea Bonacorsi and Brian Bogers. A fall pushed “BB189” down the order, leaving him to finish P23, while Coldenhoff and Bonacorsi fought hard but had to settle for P13 and P14, respectively – still securing a decent gate pick for Sunday’s races.
The opening stages of race 1 saw the Fantic Factory Racing MXGP trio just outside the top 10, eager to push forward in tricky conditions as rain showers continued to mix up race day. Bonacorsi got a strong jump out of the gate but, unfortunately, encountered an issue early on, forcing him to retire. Coldenhoff and Bogers battled hard for a top-10 position but ultimately fell just short, finishing in P11 and P12.
Race 2 started in perfect fashion for “The Hoff”, as the Fantic Factory Racing MXGP rider led the field for almost five laps before holding on to a top-three spot for half of the moto. Though he eventually had to relinquish third place, a strong fourth-place finish secured him sixth overall. Bonacorsi fought hard after a mid-pack start to finish 14th, while Bogers was unlucky to record a DNF after a first-lap incident.
In the World Championship standings, Coldenhoff holds fifth, while Fantic remains fourth in the Manufacturers’ classification as the series heads into two home rounds for the Italian brand. Up next is the MXGP of Sardegna in the deep sand of Riola Sardo in two weeks’ time, followed by the MXGP of Trentino in Pietramurata on 13 April.
Glenn Coldenhoff:
“It was a tough weekend. I crashed the wrong way – head first – on Saturday, and that didn’t feel good… I also got sick last week, so I wasn’t feeling great on Sunday morning to say the least. In race 1, it took me too long to get past Brian, and I finished eleventh. I knew I needed a good start to run up front, especially after Saturday’s crash and not feeling so well – and, luckily, I grabbed the holeshot, which was amazing. I pushed like crazy for the first four laps, but I felt straight away that I wouldn’t be able to maintain that pace. Still, finishing fourth in the race for sixth overall, and still sitting in fifth in the championship, we couldn’t have asked for much more after Saturday. It is a decent result, and it feels great to take my first holeshot of the year. We need to keep getting more, because it definitely makes life easier.”
Brian Bogers:
“I had quite a bit of bad luck all weekend. In the qualifying race, I was making moves in the first couple of laps; I was actually riding really well until I hit a tuff block. That was the story of Saturday. In race 1 on Sunday, the beginning was good, but I struggled a bit in the second half and lost some places, eventually finishing twelfth. In race 2, I was pushed wide at the start and went off the track. And again, in the first lap, I hit another tuff block. This time, it got stuck in the bike, and it took me too long to get going again, so it didn’t really make sense to finish the race. It was just one of those weekends, but we keep our heads up and focus on the next one – finally some sand in Riola!”
Andrea Bonacorsi:
“It was a tougher weekend compared to the last one. On Saturday, I struggled a bit with the fast track, but on Sunday, I felt better right from the morning. Unfortunately, in race 1, after a good start, I had an issue and was forced to retire. In race 2, I was riding a bit tight and couldn’t find my rhythm straight away. This is a track where I usually struggle a little every year, but we are staying positive, especially with two MXGP rounds coming up in Italy. I can’t wait to race on home soil!”
FANTIC FACTORY RACING EMX
Round 2 of the European Championship saw the Fantic Factory Racing EMX riders once again showcase great potential, though they were unable to fully capitalise on it in the challenging race conditions caused by the unstable weather.
Just before the start of EMX125 race 1, a heavy downpour hit the track of Saint-Jean-d’Angély, making it particularly treacherous. Francesco Bellei, the newest addition to the Fantic Factory Racing EMX team, got off to a strong start on his Fantic XX 125 and battled within the top five for the entire race, securing a solid fifth place. His teammate, Douwe Van Mechgelen, was also holding a firm position inside the top ten, but a crash with five laps to go dropped him down to 17th place.
Race 2 took place in the mud once again, with light rain continuing to fall. Despite a less ideal start compared to race 1, Bellei was right in the fight for a podium finish. However, in the extremely difficult conditions, he was forced to remove his goggles, and poor visibility slowed him down, preventing him from making the most of his pace. His seventh-place finish in the race and eighth overall on the day did not truly reflect his potential. It was also a tough race for Van Mechgelen, who finished 20th in both the race and the overall standings after a fall. In the championship standings, Bellei currently sits in sixth place, just 20 points off the top.
EMX250 rookie Simone Mancini showed great form right from the early sessions on the classic hillside track of Saint-Jean-d’Angély. Second in free practice and second in his qualifying group, the Fantic Factory Racing EMX rider lined up in third – and got off to a fantastic start on his Fantic XXF 250, battling at the front in the opening laps of race 1. The 17-year-old Italian held third place for the first third of the moto before slipping to fourth, but still secured a promising result on a tricky track.
In Race 2, Mancini started just outside the top 10 but quickly made up ground, moving into seventh place and closing in on the riders battling for the top 5. However, with four laps to go, he was forced to retire. A contact in the early stages of the race had damaged an electrical wire, preventing him from finishing the moto. An unfortunate outcome, but one that does not take away from the speed and great potential shown by the young Italian rider throughout the weekend, which he still concluded with an eighth place overall.
Francesco Bellei:
“The races were quite challenging due to the very heavy track conditions. I am not happy with the result and my riding this weekend. I definitely need to keep working ahead of the next round in Riola. On a positive note, though, we still managed to bring home some points, and in the championship standings, I am 20 points behind the leader.”
Simone Mancini:
“My feeling with the track and my bike was great throughout the entire weekend. The DNF in race 2 was unfortunate, but yesterday we showed some good things, especially in terms of speed. I was really happy with my Saturday, it felt really good. Now we just need to put together two good races to get the result we deserve, even though I still finished 8th overall today, despite some bad luck.”
