Glenn Coldenhoff refreshed and believes this is his year to redress MXGP of Portugal near misses
By Team TMX on 30th Mar 22
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Glenn Coldenhoff feels refreshed and believes this will be the year to redress the MXGP of Portugal near misses.
After a taxing trip across the equator, Coldenhoff has focused on making a full recovery as he looks to build on his solid top-five finish in Argentina.
Aiming to reach the podium in the very near future, The Hoff has been looking at where he can improve his programme.
During the weekend off, a thorough fitness test has confirmed that the 31-year-old Dutchman is in strong physical condition, offering confidence as the FIM Motocross World Championship heads to Agueda in Portugal for Round 4.
"After Argentina, I focused on recovering, so I haven't done so much," admitted Coldenhoff.
"On the weekend, I did do a physical test to see where I am at, and the test was good. We know where we can work to make it even better, so that is good."
Coldenhoff's career in the MXGP class has been consistent since his debut in 2015, placing seventh or eighth in the riders' standings every season. The exception was 2019 when he rose to a third-place medal. That year he also proudly walked the top step of the Motocross of Nations podium after surfing the Assen sand with two exceptional rides in front of the moto mad Dutch fans.
While much of the 2019 MXGP season was missing Red Bull KTM's megastars Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings, perhaps skewing the points table a little, many considered that Coldenhoff's breakout season, and he would push on in 2020.
That was shattered when he suffered a serve injury in a crash at the MXGP of Flanders-Belgium. His two compression fractures in his back put him out of the remaining rounds of another promising season.
Coldenhoff started his 2022 campaign on firm footing, taking ninth place in the opening moto at Matterley Basin and third in the second moto. That unravelled some at the tricky Mantova circuit, where he complained of being off all day. Although he left the Grand Prix of Lombardia disappointed, he rebounded with a solid eighth and sixth for fifth overall in Argentina.
Now the #259 heads to Agueda to put one thing right; to finally make it on the podium on the circuit that has been forced to sit out the series for two years. "I have been very close to the podium many times in Portugal, so many times fourth overall," said Coldenhoff.
"It's a track that I like and the weather conditions look a bit wetter than usual, and this is something that will suit me too because it will mean there will be a lot of line choice and it will be good."
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