The red soil of Águeda hosted the fifth round of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship and the third stop for the EMX series. Heavy rainfall throughout the weekend turned the MXGP of Portugal into a mudfest. In extremely difficult conditions, Brian Bogers put in an impressive performance in the premier class.
Teams and riders had to deal with treacherous conditions in Águeda, starting already with the qualifying race on Saturday. Glenn Coldenhoff secured sixth gate-pick despite a tip-over that cost him fourth place. Brian Bogers was running up front as well but suffered a hard crash that forced him to retire from the race, luckily Fantic Factory Racing MXGP’s new entry escaped any injury.
Race 1 on Sunday was held under intense rain. Coldenhoff was quick out of the gate and took full advantage of his top 6 launch to bring home an outstanding fourth place in brutal conditions. Bogers had a tougher start to the moto but managed an incredible comeback, making up ground lap after lap and crossing the finish line in fifth place, making it two Fantic XXF 450 in the top 5.
In the second moto, Bogers had a better start and found himself in sixth place in lap 1. The rain-soaked track proved to be a tough test and it took Brian some time to settle into his pace. Once he had found his rhythm, the 27-year-old Dutchman secured P7, getting close to a podium finish in fourth overall in what was only his third GP of the season. Unfortunately, Coldenhoff could not repeat the strong start in race 2 but managed to quickly work his way up to eight place. He tried to push forward but a costly crash made him lose ground and the chance to fight for the podium. Crossing the finish line in P13, Glenn had to settle for eight overall.
Brian Bogers: “It was wet and muddy but we had fun and I think that is important, especially in a race like this. Because if you don’t feel it, it will only get worse and worse. We had fun and the results show it. On Saturday, I was in a very good position in the qualifying race, I was in fourth but had a big crash. I made it really difficult for myself because I had to start completely from the outside on Sunday. In the first moto I started way back, crashed in the first lap, stopped to change my goggle – and still finished fifth. That was pretty special. In the second moto I had to start again from the outside, however, I was already in sixth place in lap 1 but then I struggled a bit. I went off track in a few places, maybe I just wanted it too much and was pushing a little bit too hard. After 10, 15 minutes I tried to do just the same as in the first moto, riding more relaxed and it was better again. All in all, I am really happy. A few months ago, I was sitting on the couch and now I got a fourth overall. So, this is for those who believed in me when some people thought I wouldn’t come back anymore.”
Glenn Coldenhoff: “Saturday was good, a small crash cost me P4 but the qualifying race was pretty decent. On Sunday, the rain came down big time and the first moto was kind of a survival race. I took a decent start, I was running in the top 5 all moto long, a few guys made mistakes and I finished fourth. The riding was actually not so good but at least I stayed on the bike. In the second moto we did a mistake, I stalled the bike on the gate. That made it really difficult but in the first lap I was already in the top 7. After the first moto we had made some really good changes, I was able to push quite hard and that was exactly what I did. I think I just didn’t have enough patience. I was a bit too much in a hurry, especially after that start, and this ended up in a crash. That was a real shame because I should have been standing on the podium… I am really disappointed about that mistake but it is a learning lesson once again and it is also easy to make a mistake in these tough conditions. I feel like we are getting there but the day still hasn’t arrived. We will try again next week.”
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