Coldenhoff is busy building the RM-Z450
One of the notable spectators during the third round of the AMA Supercross season in Anaheim was Glenn Coldenhoff. So there was some time to catch up on some of the changes that Rookie Coldenhoff is facing in his first FIM MXGP campaign this season. The 24-year-old Dutchman is already working at a hellish pace with the RM-Z450 and was therefore also present in California together with the Rockstar Energie Suzuki Europe team.
“I didn't expect to feel so good,” says an enthusiastic Coldenhoff, who has been training with the big motorcycle for almost three weeks now. “I rode with Kevin (Strijbos) the entire time, so I could definitely see where my speed was now.”
The Dutchman is one of five riders who come from the MX2 class and switch to the MXGP. With three podiums and two series wins on the RM-Z250, he remains loyal to Suzuki in 2015. “Suzuki has a good bike for me, but I still have to get used to it,” says the 2013 British GP winner. “We started testing immediately after the Nations with two days in France and two in Lommel. From then on we already had a good basis and we continued to work on that with some changes here and there. The suspension and engine are very good and the team balanced it out nicely for me.”
Like all other Suzuki riders, Coldenhoff also took part in a tough “boot camp” in Portugal at the end of 2014. This is of course a priority, especially when it comes to adding muscle mass and weight to deal with the extra horsepower of the 450cc. “I'm eating a bit more already! I go to a dietitian, which is something I normally do, because I need it to gain some weight. Last year I only weighed 67kg, but that is too light for the 450. Now I am already at 70, so things are going in the right direction.”
Coldenhoff will certainly be watched, just like his MX2 graduates such as Romain Febvre, Christophe Charlier, Alex Lupino and Jose Butron. Especially in the first season in the premier class, we are looking forward to the objectives for 2015. “It is always difficult when you come from MX2 and you can also see that in the other riders who have come over in recent years. I just want to be consistent and injury free… so it is a very strong class.”
Away from the outdoor circuit, Coldenhoff also takes some time to get his first taste of the AMA Supercross event. A few laps were also driven on the Suzuki SX track in the south of Corona. “We tested it last week and it certainly wasn't easy, but if we had to train on the supercross circuit for four months it would go a bit better,” he says. “We rode with our MX suspension and that wasn't so good!”
Text: Adam Wheeler / OTOR
Photo: CDS/Bavo Swijgers
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