The MXGP of The Netherlands is a special round for the Dutch-based Fantic Factory Racing MXGP squad, and the team’s performance was outstanding all weekend long – with all three Fantic XXF 450 riders in the top 7 of the premier class of Motocross.
Saturday’s qualifying race set the tone for a memorable Grand Prix at the Motorsportpark Gelderland Midden. Glenn Coldenhoff did what he does best – rocketing out of the gate to secure yet another holeshot and leading the opening five laps of the qualifier. Only Jeffrey Herlings managed to find a way past “The Hoff,” as the Fantic star crossed the line in second after a strong finish, just 1.4 seconds shy of pole at home.
To round out a remarkable team performance, Andrea Bonacorsi earned sixth gate-pick after setting the fifth-fastest time in practice – by now, there is really no doubt that the 22-year-old Italian feels more than at home on the typically soft terrain of the area. Brian Bogers was born in the sand, and the former Lommel GP winner used his skills effectively to place a strong seventh in the qualifying race in front of his home crowd.
The Dutch fans had more to cheer about on Sunday, as Glenn Coldenhoff was once again the fastest out of the gate to grab his sixth Holeshot Award of the season, before settling into second for most of an intense race 1. At one point, “The Hoff” was even closing the gap to the leader, but with two laps to go, two late passes by Febvre and Coenen meant he crossed the line in fourth. Close behind in fifth, his Fantic Factory Racing MXGP teammate Andrea Bonacorsi was also right in the mix. With Brian Bogers in eighth, it was another impressive team result.
Race 2 didn’t disappoint either, and neither did Coldenhoff’s start – also the third holeshot of the weekend belonged to the Fantic star. His teammates had a strong launch too, and Bonacorsi and Bogers joined the battle for the top-5 spots in an exciting race that had the crowd on their feet. For the joy of the Dutch fans, Coldenhoff crossed the line in fourth once again, which secured him third overall and a home GP podium. But there was more – Bonacorsi and Bogers placed fifth and sixth in race 2. In the overall classification, they finished sixth and seventh, joining Coldenhoff in the top 7 on a memorable day for the Fantic Factory Racing MXGP team.
With his sixth podium of the season, Coldenhoff strengthens his third place in the standings, as the FIM Motocross World Championship enters the flyaway rounds – starting in Afyon, Turkey, on September 6-7 – to bring this epic campaign to a close.
Glenn Coldenhoff:
“Three holeshots and a podium in front of the home crowd – what an amazing weekend! The Fantic is definitely working well! I am really happy to finally make it on the podium here in Arnhem, after missing out on it in the previous years. I feel like I deserved it. Also, the whole team did a great job – with Bona and Brian we finished fourth, fifth and sixth in the final race of the day. We are working hard as a team and I am very happy for them as well.”
Andrea Bonacorsi:
“A good weekend for me and a great result for the whole team, especially considering this was the team’s home GP! I got two fifth places today, but I feel I am improving a lot. Battling with the top riders of the premier class is really important for me – I can learn a lot, and it is all valuable experience for the future. We have to be very happy with the work we are doing, so let’s keep going like this!”
Brian Bogers:
“It was a fun weekend. I think I can be happy with 8th and 6th, which gave me seventh overall. Beyond the good results, I also felt really good on the bike and strong physically. I guess the home GP always gives some extra motivation, but if we can carry this feeling into the last three rounds, I think they could go well too!”
