Before reaching the halfway point at the much-anticipated Italian GP in Maggiora, the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship headed to Kegums, Lativa, for the ninth round of the season. Glenn Coldenhoff and Brian Bogers got close to a first MXGP podium on the Fantic XXF 450 in fourth and fifth overall.
The Fantic Factory Racing MXGP riders felt right at home from the get-go on the sandy track of Kegums, despite a harder base than usual and an updated layout. At a venue he has won at in the past, Glenn Coldenhoff topped the time sheets in free practice. In time practice, it was Brian Bogers who secured the third gate-pick going into the qualifying race.
As the gate dropped on Saturday afternoon, Coldenhoff had a strong start and powered around the outside of the first corner to place himself in the top 5. He quickly moved into fourth place and, with four laps to go, the Dutchman gained another position and crossed the finish line in third, while Bogers came home in eight.
Heavens opened right before MXGP race 1 on Sunday but Coldenhoff and Bogers quickly adapted to the much-changed conditions. A top 5 start allowed them to run at the sharp end of the premier class right from the beginning and bring home outstanding third and fourth place finishes. For the first time ever, Coldenhoff placed the Fantic XXF 450 in the top 3 of a world championship race.
Race 2 saw another strong performance by the Dutch duo which left them just shy of the overall podium. Glenn Coldenhoff finished fourth for fourth overall, just one point off the third step of the rostrum, while Brian Bogers rounded out the top 5 both in the second moto and the GP classification.
Glenn Coldenhoff:
“I was going well all weekend, with a third place already in the qualifying race on Saturday. Right before the first moto on Sunday, we had another rain shower that made it kind of tough but all in all, it was not too bad, with 3-3-4 finishes and a fourth overall. It was just a pity that we missed the podium, I felt like we were close. In the second moto the pace was a bit off, the guys in front were far. I think I need to work on a few things and try to get better, also a little bit with the bike. Now we are going to Maggiora, Fantic’s home GP. They say it is going to rain again but we are used to it by now. Anyway, P5 last week and now P4 – it is going upwards. Hopefully also next weekend, that would be good.”
Brian Bogers:
“I am happy with this GP. The speed was there already on Saturday. In the qualifying race I had a bad start but still finished eight. I had a feeling that I could do more and on Sunday I felt good directly from the warm-up. In the first moto it was a little bit muddy, again. I had a good start, around sixth place, I made some passes and finished fourth. In the second moto the track was good, I had another good start and made a few passes on the first lap to stay in P5 for the whole moto. 4th and 5th for another top 5 overall, I am really happy with that. Let’s keep building, I feel really good mentally and also physically we are getting there.”
