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!”
