The magical comeback of 'bronze' Glenn Coldenhoff
Fall seven times, get up again one time. Such is a Japanese proverb that found its way into the (Western) sports world in many variations. It is also a statement that must be close to Glenn Coldenhoff's heart. After all, “The Hoff” fought its way back to the top from a dire situation.
What could have been a transition year after his serious back injury at the end of 2018, the Standing Construct KTM rider turned into a real triumph. Four series wins, two GP wins and a bronze medal in the MXGP final standings made 2019 the best ever for Glenn. After 4 GPs, the pilot from Heesch was barely 13de. Talk about a comeback!
Coldenhoff had barely completed two weeks of motorcycle training before traveling to the first GP in Argentina. Operation “damage control” appears to be well on schedule. At the second Grand Prix in Matterley Basin, Glenn finished eighth.
“I actually suffered from that injury for a very long time. At least three, four, maybe even five months. I lay awake for long nights. Even during that second GP weekend in England where I finished eighth, I sat on a chair all night!”
Rider and team continue to work diligently to make up for lost time and lack of testing. In difficult circumstances, the muddy Grand Prix of Lombardy in Mantova, Glenn took his first top-5. However, achieving that same level every weekend is still difficult. “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 reward the people who support you with top results, even when things are difficult,” Glenn looks back.
The Indonesian double GP learns that Coldenhoff is growing back to his best form. With a fifth (Palembang) and fourth place (Semarang), the 28-year-old driver enters the top 7. A nice victory during the Zwarte Cross in Lichtenvoorde heralds a period of unprecedented economic growth. After a podium finish in Lommel, final victories followed at the Keiheuvel in Balen, Imola and Sweden. 'the Hoff' also plays a leading role in Turkey and China. He always wins the qualifying race and always finishes second behind Jeffrey Herlings.
“In the second heat here in China I was in the lead for the entire race but at the end I made a few small mistakes. But I also looked at the big picture. I had my sights set on that bronze medal! I'm very happy with that, that's what we came for. And finally I was back on stage. I would like to thank everyone: the team, my training technician, my family and friends, my girlfriend, all the supporters at home too! Unfortunately my girlfriend won't be there this weekend. So she can't celebrate with me, but I know she is very proud and I miss her,” Glenn concluded after the last World Cup series of the season.
Coldenhoff's best World Championship result to date was a fifth place in 2013 in the MX2 World Championship. He also competed for the Belgian Standing Construct KTM of Tim Mathys.
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: shotbyBavo, CDS
Also to read
Test: Polisport's unbreakable levers
Brake and clutch levers have sometimes broken off in a crash, but it has never been different. Polisport has thought deeply about this subject and now has an unbreakable lever on the…Jens Walvoort about his Portuguese Grand Prix
In Agueda, Jens Walvoort managed to make a big impression during the fifth Grand Prix of the season. The KTM rider finished sixth in the daily rankings, Walvoort is now sixteenth...EnduroGP: Interview Jamie McCanney
Manxman Jamie McCanney made EnduroGP history last year by winning the E1 in Slovakia as a privateer. The 29-year-old veteran has had a long and illustrious career, but…Jans-Beken out due to shoulder injury
Next weekend the third race of the FIM WMX World Championship will be held in Lugo. This will happen without Britt Jans-Beken. The Limburg native fell during training last weekend...
Your reactions