This weekend, three motocross riders from Brabant will be at the start of the Motocross of Nations, the world championship for national teams. Glenn Coldenhoff, Calvin Vlaanderen and Kay de Wolf will take a shot at a podium place in Ernée in France. “I hope that at the end of the day the Wilhelmus sounds for us,” says Coldenhoff.
Due to the absence of five-time world champion Jeffrey Herlings, the strongest Dutch team will not be at the start on Sunday during the Motorcross of Nations. But still three good motocross riders who can score high.
“Jeffrey has been injured and only rode for the first time this week,” says Glenn Coldenhoff. “Then it is not wise to immediately release him at a World Cup. Because if he participates, he participates to win. It is just too early for him. But Calvin Vlaanderen and Kay de Wolf have had a good year, So then it’s all right. I have confidence in it.”
“In preparation, we entered an escape room with our entire team.”
A win, like in Assen in 2019, will be very difficult for the Netherlands. But everything is better than last year’s disappointing seventh place. “France and Australia are the countries that stand out and have the best chance of winning the title,” thinks Coldenhoff. “But after that there are a lot of teams that are equal. Think of Spain, Germany, America and of course Belgium. We also fit in there and if all three of us have a good day, we can certainly get on the podium. That would be really great! “
In any case, Coldenhoff, Flanders and De Rooij are doing everything they can to achieve a top performance this weekend in France. A bit of team building in advance, for example.
“We went into an escape room with our entire team,” says Coldenhoff about the preparation. “Or actually we went to the escape room twice, because the first time we couldn’t solve the puzzle and we couldn’t figure it out. Not by a long shot,” he laughs. “Luckily it worked the second time. We laughed a lot and that was good for the atmosphere.”
“I hope that at the end of the day the Wilhelmus will sound for us.”
Hopefully the teamwork will go off without a hitch this weekend. “Normally you work individually at a Grand Prix, but here you drive as a team for your country,” Coldenhoff continues. “In such a match you have to do it together and then tactics are also involved. We will have to discuss that together and that makes it special.”
Coldenhoff himself will travel to France with confidence. He was the best Dutchman in the MXGP last season and has now been assured of a new two-year contract at the highest level. “I will stay with my current team, but the motorcycle brand I will ride is not yet known.”
“That will all become clear after the Nations,” concludes the driver from Best. “I’m looking forward to it, because it will be a gigantic event with a large audience. I know that many Dutch people will also come to watch and that is extra fun for us. I am really a proud Dutch person and hope that at the end of the day us the Wilhelmus sounds.”
The qualifying will take place in France next Saturday and the Motocross of Nations race on Sunday.
The Dutch team last won the Motocross World Championship for national teams in 2019:
