Five minutes with Glenn Coldenhoff
Results are what they are, whether we like them or not. Whether someone is loved or not doesn't matter to the finish flag. And yet. When a broadly smiling Glenn Coldenhoff (28) entered the press room in Imola last Sunday, it became clear once again that everyone wishes him success. With a double series victory, Glenn showed that he belongs among the very best without any physical discomfort.
It was probably a bit strange. The Standing Construct KTM rider had delivered the performance of the year, but Tim Gajser also had something to celebrate at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. After all, you don't win a third world title every day.
The top performance of the native of Heesche was therefore somewhat overshadowed. Because what a fantastic match 'The Hoff' delivered in Italy. After a disastrous winter, that nasty fall during training in Lommel in December, Glenn had to chase for a large part of the season. Now it's back, and how!
This victory was a great way to highlight your versatility. It doesn't get much more different than Lommel. Although many people may see you primarily as a sand specialist.
Glenn Coldenhoff: “That's right, the track was very technical and that's actually up my alley. I also won my first GP (ed. MX2 GP in Matterley Basin in 2013) on a hard track. So it is not the case that things should go much better on the sand. In Lommel I came third and in Imola I won. I think that on the average job I perform mainly consistently. Especially the way I won last weekend was very special.”
How did this victory in Imola compare to your surprising double victory in Red bud?
Coldenhoff: “I think the performance was similar. In Red bed I also had good starts and was able to strike quickly in the beginning. That was the last time I rode 1-1. In Imola I also made the difference in the first rounds. And choosing the right tracks - which suits me - was also very important in Italy.”
Even if it didn't turn out the way you wanted, you still achieved a very good level despite the pain in your back. When will the good feeling return of knowing you are ready to ride for podiums or win?
Coldenhoff: “Well, actually I still experience quite a bit of inconvenience from that injury. From Friday to Saturday I was awake from 4 am. Because I'm still in pain. It's not super bad pain, just irritation. It's mainly at night that I suffer from it, during the day it doesn't bother me that much. Of course it has been a difficult period, especially for my team and especially for my training technician. I was quite negative for a while and they had to take that positively. Ultimately, it is wonderful to give this back to the people who support you, even when things are difficult.”
What is a the experienced Glenn and that hard-working boy who has worked his way up through perseverance. After all, you were never known as a top talent.
Coldenhoff: "Anyway. In my youth career I was always only fourth or fifth. I have always kept fighting and working hard. I do everything down to the last detail. I sleep well, I eat well. In every respect I try not to leave anything behind, so to speak. Ultimately, payment will be made on a day like Sunday.”
Everything announced itself well last winter. You were in a great flow after Red Bud, you ended up back in a team where you had a great time in the past and then there was that big setback with your back injury. How did you deal with that?
Coldenhoff: “I can get over that fairly quickly, mentally. Only I suffered from it for so terribly long. At least three, four, maybe even five months. I lay awake for long nights. Even before the second GP weekend in England where I finished eighth, I sat on a chair all night. When you have a day like in Imola… The team has always continued to support me. I have gone through a difficult time, but so have they. Yet they always continued to believe in me. And then one day it will come out!”
Are you now in a position to enter 2020 with an edge? After all, you had to adapt to a new bike since you came from a factory bike and the Standing Construct KTM is now completely to your liking.
Coldenhoff: “Certainly, of course I have lost a lot of time this season. Normally you just have those months to test, but I have now completely missed that. We all had to catch up on that. Okay, I was able to build on the work that Max (Anstie) and Ivo (Monticelli) had done, but I went beyond what they tested. I keep everyone awake a bit in that regard because I'm always looking for little things to make the bike even better. The team has made me very happy in recent weeks, and you can now see that in my results. Actually, it's all about details. For example in the block, things that just make it a lot easier for me. We already knew that it worked in the sand, but now it also works on hard surfaces. Now I just want to continue this way. This weekend I will also be riding to win again in Sweden!”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: shotbyBavo
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