Glenn Coldenhoff blogs
Wednesday 26 March: Just two Grands Prix into the FIM Motocross World Championship and Glenn Coldenhoff has already made an impact.
The 23 year old Dutchman gave the Rockstar Energy
Suzuki Europe team their first podium result in two years at Si Racha in
Thailand almost three weeks ago and also swept the board at Emmen for the opening round of the ONK Dutch Championship.
"I first
rode the Suzuki a week after the Motocross of Nations and of course it
was in Holland! First we went on holiday for a week to Turkey – I was
due a birthday present from my girlfriend so she booked up some days
there and we had some rest. After that I started my physical training
and work; overall it was not a long break and I felt like I didn’t need
it. One week laying on my arse was enough! I began slowly and built it
up over one and-a-half months until I started riding again. We had a lot
of testing to do.
I’m an active guy and it feels like life is
only about training, training, training… When I have to stop then it’s
normally a bit of TV, seeing some friends or family. Where I am based in
southern Holland it is ideal because I’m close to the Suzuki workshop
and central for quite a few tracks. Also for mountain biking. We don’t
have any hills but in the local forest there are some nice trails. I
also take the time to see private sponsors because some of those guys
have backed me since I started racing and it is important to keep in
touch. I appreciate them a lot.
Coming to Suzuki was a change
for me. It was the first time back on a Japanese bike for two years and
the biggest difference I felt right away was the weight. It was
unbelievable; so much less and one of the main reasons why I feel so
comfortable on the RM-Z250. The team has worked a lot on the engine and
I’m pleased with the improvements they have made. I think we are in
pretty good shape after two Grands Prix already.
I’m a factory
rider now and I’m conscious of the fact that sometimes I have more
things to do! Like in Thailand we visited a Suzuki dealer for signings
and photos; so that is a bit different. Working with a team like
Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe we have an engine guy, a suspension guy
and quite a lot of people dedicated to specific jobs. In the beginning I
thought it would be a bit strange for me because I’m used to just
working with a single mechanic but I like the professionalism and the
whole system in place.
As most people know the Suzuki MX2
project went through some changes over the winter and there was a moment
where I thought ‘what happens now?’ We had to start talks again but
once we found an agreement and I was talking directly with Suzuki then I
was really happy because the people in the whole set-up are so nice and
helpful. I found I could get some good assistance for my physical
conditioning and that the environment around me was optimised for
racing. After all, the bike can be good but it is still the rider that
needs to go out and deliver. I think this system of support is one of
the best things about Suzuki.
So 2014 is my last year in MX2
but I’m set for two years with Suzuki. This was something very
important for me when I signed the contract because most of those who
have to move for 2015 don’t yet have a ride confirmed for MXGP. For sure
Suzuki is ‘not bad’ in MXGP! They have a very competitive 450 and, from
what I’ve learnt so far, they can make a bike that handles really
nicely for me. I’m not too worried about heading into MXGP because I
rode the 450 in the winter and have some experience. In the beginning I
really liked it but after about six weeks I was ready to get back on the
250! I’m not 100% ready yet for the 450. I need a different training
programme and a bit more weight because I’m very light.
As
everyone knows Jeffrey Herlings is the World Champion and he’s also from
Holland but I really don’t mind that he takes the spotlight in terms of
Dutch riders doing well at GP. I quite like being in the wings and he
can take all the media attention. He is a double World Champion whereas
I’ve had to cope with four years of injury problems. When you get
injured then you always have to start again from zero and from the
bottom. Last year, finally, I was uninjured and now you can see that in
many motos and practice sessions I am always up there. It is a big
difference compared to other years and I hope it continues through 2014."
Blog by OTOR Editor Adam Wheeler