MXGP World Championship
Chat: Calvin Vlaanderen
Calvin Vlaanderen on the 2019 MXGP of Asia.
Calvin Vlaanderen finally stood on the podium for the first time this term at the twelve round, the Grand Prix of Asia, over the weekend. It was a big weekend for him and one that reminded most in the paddock what he is truly capable of. Vlaanderen wants more though, especially as the clock is counting down on his MX2 career, as he explains in this exclusive MX Vice interview. 2020 is also discussed at length.
MX Vice:Â Up on the box for the first time this year. It feels insane to say that, because you should be there every week, but there have been injuries and you were a fourth-place guy at the beginning of the year. It must just be good to get this monkey off your back?
Calvin Vlaanderen:Â Yeah, sure. Really good to be back on the box. It sounds funny that it’s the first time this year, because I feel like I have been there before this year. I had a good beginning of the season, going three times fourth in a row. Now with the injury and everything it was quite tough… I didn’t really expect to be back on the box so quickly. I’m not one hundred percent yet physically. Also with my riding I’m missing a bit of speed.
This weekend the plan was just to put two good motos together on Sunday. Last weekend I did one on Sunday but then the second moto I was just completely done, should I say. No energy and just tired. Good to get two motos in and get back on the box. It feels really good.
Obviously, coming back from injury you would think this would be one of the toughest races with the heat and stuff. Is there any explanation for you being so strong here so soon after an injury? I cannot really come up with one. Yeah, you are fresh, but that does not help when you are coming off of a long time off the bike. Â
I didn’t really take time off. With the injury with the foot, you have to take a few weeks off. Especially with the infection, I could not sweat at all and I did not want to get an infection again. I did take a few weeks off and it was frustrating. I was still doing everything with my upper body in the gym and that. I have been training harder than ever before, I feel. I feel like I am stronger than I have been ever before, which is probably why I am back on the box so soon.
I was just really tired last weekend and the intensity in the motos, you do not get that with training. I think to get that out of the way… I felt a lot better already this weekend. Free practice on Saturday I was like, “My body feels good. I can do well this weekend.” Today also in the motos I felt like I could push, whereas last weekend I couldn’t really push. I was just riding around. I have been training hard. It’s paid off now.Â
Do you think it helped being in a situation where you couldn’t train this week? Coming back last weekend, that was a shock to the system. You have not done a full MXGP weekend in months. Had we been in Europe you would have done that, tired yourself out, and then gone straight back into training and maybe burnt yourself into a hole. Here you did that, got that learning experience out of the way, and then reset to zero again. Â
Having the week off was good for me, actually. We went to Bali and I could recover quite well during that few days. Even if we were in Europe, I monitor my body quite well. If I have a tough weekend and I’m tired like I was last weekend… On Monday I was just sleeping the whole day.
I listen to my body and if my body needs rest, then I’ll rest, which is what I do. For me, having that week off last week was good. I’m a rider who does not need so much time on the bike. I prefer technique training. I just need a good feeling, a good flow and I’ll ride good. Â
You have been on the box both times we have come here. Track you like? I feel like everyone gets on with it. Everyone complains about Indonesia. If we are going to come to Indonesia, I feel like we are not going to find a track much better than this.
It’s tough with the heat and the sun. Blue skies the whole day. Obviously the track being so hot and red clay, it’s going to get hard and slippery. It makes it technical in one way. For us riders, it’s a bit dangerous and a bit sketchy. They did not do great track prep this weekend, but it is what it is. It’s the same for all riders. If you feel like it’s dangerous, you just calm down a little bit. That was what I did this weekend.
I thought the track was dangerous in some spots, especially when they put water on, but then you ride slow in those places where you need to. A lot of people complain, but Rui [Goncalves] and the guys are actually doing a really good job. They are trying their best. They could not really do much more this weekend, I feel like, with the heat and with the track. It’s going to get hard and slick. We all knew that. I trained before we came here on hard and slick tracks to prepare for this. It’s the same. It is motocross, I think.
On that note, downhill triple. I don’t think I saw you do it at all. Did you think about it? How did you measure that risk versus reward?Â
That downhill triple… I busted it out last year one time in practice, because I saw a few guys doing it. This year free practice I didn’t do it. I was like, “Maybe I’ll try in timed practice.” I didn’t do it. Then I was like, “I can’t try it out in the race, unless someone does it in front of me and I get a good start and they are pulling away or something.” I was happy just doubling and singling into the corner. It was maybe a little bit slower, but I just felt safer doing that.
Before this injury, in practice in Trentino you were on it. Everything was looking good. It’s your last year in MX2 so you have obviously got goals you want to tick off. Has this injury been tough to take? Do you now feel like you are in a rush to tick certain things off before you have to leave this class? How are you feeling in that respect?
To be honest, now going into the end of the season I am thinking about it more. In the beginning of the season, I was like, “I’m not thinking about next year. I’m not thinking about contracts, results or things like that.” Obviously I want to get another GP win and also race wins. There is, I think, six GPs left. There is still time to do that. Coming back from injury it is not easy and I knew that it would take time to get there.
During that injury period, I did think about it more and more. In the beginning I was like, “No, I’ll be back.” It will be fine, but now the time is ticking. Before this weekend, I had not had a podium this year and that’s quite surprising. Contract talk is coming up. They are not waiting for me to be a hundred percent. It needs to be now.
It is what it is. I’m just trying my best. I know if I get good results, if I ride like Calvin knows how to ride I will get good results and with good results I’ll have a good ride for next year. I am stressed a little bit about it, but also in one way I am just trying to focus on my training, having good starts on the weekend and putting in good rides. Â
Obviously you cannot tell us what you are doing next year or any of that, but are you done? Are you still shopping around or are you actually locked in with someone, whoever for next year?Â
I’m not done. Nothing is confirmed at all.
Is it looking good at least?
I don’t even know, to be honest. You probably know more than me. It’s up in the air at the moment. There are a few talks and things like that, but it is up in the air. I don’t even know myself what is going to happen.
Last year here was when we did the big interview about South Africa, the flag and everything. I had flashbacks earlier and you were on the podium today. There was a flag out there. Have you heard anything from them recently? Are they kind of coming up to you with a box of chocolates and a sorry letter?Â
I saw on social media last year an apology about it. Â
When did this happen?
Like a month after this all happened there was one… I think Motorsports Africa put something on social media saying, “We apologise for the bad things.” I did not really go into it after that. I have not spoken to them at all since. It’s kind of a repeat from last year here. I qualified sixth last year as well. I think I went 5-4 or 5-3 in the motos last year and today it was 5-3. It was kind of similar, so that is good. I looked up, saw the Dutch flag and I was actually proud to be with the Dutch flag.
Netherlands all the way?
Netherlands all the way. Assen is going to be good. I’m looking forward to the Nations at the end of the year.
Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Ray Archer
MXGP World Championship
2024 Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos – MXGP Results
We will post the 2024 MXGP results of Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos GP all weekend. Get the latest updates to your phone through MX Vice.
MXGP Qualification Race
MXGP Timed Practice
MX2 – Qualification Race
MX2 Timed Practice
WMX Race 1
EMX 250 – Race 1
EMX 250 – Timed Practice
MXGP World Championship
//PEARCY Stats Preview MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos
Once again, our resident stats guru, Paul Pearcy, provides a breakdown of the MX2 class going into Intu Xanadu. Famed more for its access to a shopping mall and McDonald’s than actual passing, the MX2 contenders will be looking to make their mark. Last year, Simon Laengenfelder reigned supreme and was unstoppable on Sunday, with no rider able to match his pace. If you were a betting man, who would be your winner?
MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos Preview
MX2
Kay de Wolf
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 3rd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
- Qualifying Race Finish: 4th
- Qualifying Points: 7
- Race First Lap Position: 6th
- Race Finishes: 5th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 8th
- Race Points: 54
Total Points: 61
Simon Laengenfelder
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podiums: 4; 22’, 23’
- Race Wins: 2; 1-1 in 23’
- Overall Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
- Overall win: 1; 23’
- Race Laps Led: 34; all in 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 4.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 3rd
- Qualifying Points: 8
- Race First Lap Position: 5.167
- Race Finishes: 4.333 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 4.333
- Race Points: 113
Total Points: 121
Thibault Benistant
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Race Laps Led: 1, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 5.5
- Qualifying Points: 5
- Race First Lap Position: 12.667
- Race Finishes: 5.667 in Race 1, 6.333 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 6.333
- Race Points: 92
Total Points: 97
Mikkel Haarup
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 9th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 12th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.5
- Race Finishes: 12.333 in Race 1, 9.667 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 10.667
- Race Points: 60
Total Points: 60
Andrea Adamo
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Overall Podium: 1; 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 11th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 6.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 6
- Race First Lap Position: 11.667
- Race Finishes: 9.333 in Race 1, 12.667 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 10.333
- Race Points: 70
Total Points: 76
Lucas Coenen
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
- Qualifying Points: 9
- Race First Lap Position: 17.5
- Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 26th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14th
- Race Points: 15
Total Points: 24
Sacha Coenen
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 19th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 24th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 17th
- Race First Lap Position: 8.5
- Race Finishes: 9th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 9th
- Race Points: 22
Total Points: 22
Rick Elzinga
Venue Visits: 22’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 10th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 21.5
- Race First Lap Position: 4.25
- Race Finishes:13th in Race 1, 10th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14.5
- Race Points: 27
Total Points: 27
Jack Chambers
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 22nd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 15th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 15th
- Race First Lap Position: 24.5
- Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17th
- Race Points: 9
Total Points: 9
Oriol Oliver
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 16th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.75
- Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17.5
- Race Points: 19
Total Points: 19
David Braceras
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 16th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 15.5
- Race First Lap Position: 12.75
- Race Finishes:14.5 in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 16.5
- Race Points: 23
Total Points: 23
Emil Weckman
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 10th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.5
- Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 19th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 18th
- Race Points: 8
Total Points: 8
Bobby Bruce
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 20th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 26th
- Race First Lap Position: 23rd
- Race Finishes: 27th in Race 1, 21st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17th
MXGP
Jorge Prado
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 22’
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
- Qualifying Race Win: 1; 23’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
- Race Podiums: 6
- Race Wins: 2
- Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
- Overall Win: 1; 20’ (1-1 in 20’)
- Race Laps Led: 56
Averages
- Timed Practice: 3rd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 1.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 10
- Race First Lap Position: 2.125
- Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3rd
- Race Points: 160
Total Points: 170
Romain Febvre
Venue Visits: 20’, 21’, 23’
- Race Podiums: 3
- Race Win: 1; 21’
- Overall Podium: 1; 20’
- Race Laps Led: 11
Averages
- Timed Practice: 5.667
- Race First Lap Position: 8.5
- Race Finishes: 1.5 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3.5
- Race Points: 81
Total Points: 81
Tim Gajser
Venue Visits: 20’-22’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 20’
- Race Podiums: 4
- Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 1.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Race First Lap Position: 3.5
- Race Finishes: 3rd in Race 1, 3.333 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3rd
- Race Points: 119
Total Points: 119
Pauls Jonass
Venue Visits: 21’, 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 8.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 9th
- Race First Lap Position: 7.25
- Race Finishes: 7.5 in Race 1, 7th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 7.5
- Race Points: 55
Total Points: 55
Maxime Renaux
Venue Visit: 22’, 23’
- Race Wins: 2; 22’ (1-1 in 22’)
- Overall Win: 1; 22’
- Race Laps Led: 31
Averages
- Timed Practice: 4th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
- Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Race Finishes: 1st in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 1st
- Race Points: 50
Total Points: 50
Jeremy Seewer
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- Qualifying Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 1; 22’
- Race Laps Led: 5
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 4th
- Qualifying Race Points: 8
- Race First Lap Position: 5.375
- Race Finishes: 8.5 in Race 1, 5.25 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 7th
- Race Points: 115
Total Points: 123
Jeffery Herlings
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 2; 21’, 23’
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 1; 23’
- Race Podiums: 4;(Jeffrey has podiumed 100% of the races he has competed in)
- Race Wins: 3; (Herlings has won 75% of the victories he has vied for)
- Overall Wins: 2; (100% win rate)
- Race Laps Led: 27
Averages
- Timed Practice: 1st
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Points: 9
- Race First Lap Position: 4.75
- Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 1st
- Race Points: 95
Total Points: 104
Glenn Coldenhoff
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- Qualifying Race Win: 1; 22’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
- Race Podium: 1; 22’
- Overall Podium: 1; 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 7.25
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 3.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 5
- Race First Lap Position: 5.125
- Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 6.5 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 5th
- Race Points: 123
Total Points: 128
Calvin Vlaanderen
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 12th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Qualifying Race Points: 2
- Race First Lap Position: 15.625
- Race Finishes: 11.5 in Race 1, 12.75 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 12.25
- Race Points: 71
Total Points: 73
Valentin Guillod
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 18th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 19.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 12.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 1
- Race First Lap Position: 14.75
- Race Finishes: 12th in Race 1, 15.25 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14.25
- Race Points: 62
Total Points: 63
Ben Watson
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 14.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 24.5
- Race First Lap Position: 16.5
- Race Finishes: 19th in Race 1
- Overall Finishes: 22nd
- Race Points: 2
Total Points: 2
Ivo Monticelli
Venue Visits: 20’, 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 12th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 24th
- Race First Lap Position: 16.75
- Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 13th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 13th
- Race Points: 28
Total Points: 28
Kevin Brumann
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 20th
- Race First Lap Position: 20th
- Race Finishes: 14th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 15th
- Race Points: 11
Total Points: 11
Photo: KTM Group
MX Vice Podcasts
Between The Races Podcast: Adam Sterry – MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina Recap and Spain Preview
Listen now.
The Between The Races podcast returns with Adam Sterry, Ed Stratmann and Brad Wheeler, as they review the 2024 MXGP season opener and look ahead to Spain.
The Between The Races podcast is always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Fly Racing, Monster Energy, Fox Racing, Parts Europe, Scott, Bell Helmets, Acerbis, AS3 Performance, Kawasaki UK, KTM UK, O’Neal and Even Strokes for supporting the show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Lead Image: Triumph Racing/Ray Archer
Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.
-
Monster Energy Supercross2 months ago
Jett Lawrence apologises to Jason Anderson following their incident in San Diego
-
Monster Energy Supercross6 months ago
Injury Update: Chase Sexton
-
Monster Energy Supercross6 months ago
Results: SMX LA Coliseum
-
Monster Energy Supercross6 months ago
Results: SMX Chicagoland
-
Product News4 years ago
News: 2021Â Beta 300 RX
-
Monster Energy Supercross2 months ago
AMA Penalty Report from A2 – Cooper Webb’s fine and Anderson’s penalty headline the list
-
Monster Energy MXoN7 months ago
Announcement – Team GB Motocross of Nations Selection
-
Monster Energy MXoN7 months ago
Australia announces MXoN squad