The Dutch team that participates in the Motocross of Nations, the World Cup for Country Teams in Crawfordsville this weekend, hopes for a bit of luck. They are not a favorite for a medal, Glenn Coldenhoff acknowledges. “But in motocross everything can happen.” The Dutch team is completely Brabants with Glenn Coldenhoff from Best, Kay de Wolf from Eersel and Calvin Vlaanderen from Oss. It is striking that Jeffrey Herlings from Oploo is not there.
The Netherlands is in the US with a strong three of them, but a podium place seems difficult to feasible. “We have absolutely no favorite status,” says Glenn Coldenhoff, who at the age of 34 is the most experienced motocross rider of the trio. “I must honestly say that a medal will be difficult, because there are so many strong teams. One good day, a bit of luck and we can just surprise.”
Team NL, last year third, has to do this year without five -time champion Jeffrey Herlings. He was not selected by the national coach who states that the Netherlands has a lot of talent with several leading world toppers. “That is of course a loss,” Koldenhoff admits. “Jeffrey always brings experience and speed. With him there you automatically have more chance of a podium place. Anyway, this is the situation. We have to do it with the boys who are there. And that is still a very strong team.”
“I want to show that I am not nearly finished with Motocross.”
For Coldenhoff, the tournament is a chance to continue its strong form of last season. He rode very constantly in the MXGP and finished very pretty third in the general classification. “It was really good,” he looks back. “My goals were ambitious, maybe a little too, but I got them. Apart from two small dips, I was able to participate everywhere for the points. It was physically and mentally heavy and that is why third place might be fantastic.”
The fact that the Nations are taking place in the United States this year feels a special end to the season for Glenn Coldenhoff. Moreover, it is a competition that can also be important for his future. “The Nations are the stage to put yourself in the shop window,” he explains. “If I bang there, everyone knows where I am again. Maybe we don’t take a medal, but I want to show that I am not nearly finished with Motocross.”
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Because despite his strong performance last season, there has been no serious offer from a European team in the MXGP so far. And that is quite strange for a crosser of his caliber who can compete with the world top. “Of course that is not ideal. After such a good year, you hope that everything is round quickly. But the market is difficult and there are many interests playing. Maybe it is also my age. I am not concerned about it, but certainty would be nice.”
A good achievement in Crawfordsville this weekend could also just give him a contract for the outdoor season in the United States. Something that he certainly aspires to. “The atmosphere there is unique,” Coldenhoff concludes. “The audience, the jobs, everything breathes motocross there. For me it feels like a dream to drive there.”
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