Glenn Coldenhoff made a strong return to the MXGP paddock at his home Grand Prix of Arnhem, finishing fifth overall after spending the entire 2026 season away from the World Championship. Racing from a van with a largely privateer setup, the Dutchman showed he still has the speed to run with the factory riders and admitted he even surprised himself with his performance.
After a season away, Coldenhoff says he never really missed GP racing but was delighted to be back among the people and friends he has shared the paddock with for the past 15 years. With his future now focused on racing in Brazil and the Netherlands, the 35-year-old also revealed that he would be interested in a test-rider role with a manufacturer, but has firmly closed the door on returning to MXGP.
Coldenhoff also discussed his battle for the Brazilian championship, his hopes of representing the Netherlands at the Motocross des Nations in MX2, and why he believes this really was his final MXGP appearance.
GateDrop: Glenn, I mean, the first GP of the year and the last one. You’ve been such an established GP rider for so many years, what was it being away for so long and then coming back? I mean you rode really well, it’s like you’ve never been away to be honest, you must be happy with how you rode?
Coldenhoff: I’m definitely happy. It’s been an incredible weekend for me and I really really enjoyed that I could live up to it this weekend. There were very long days before coming here this weekend but I enjoyed every step of the way. I’m proud of my crew, what we put together here I think is very solid. It’s nothing special but it seems like it was working and I surprised myself a little bit with practices already yesterday and then obviously had a really good qualifying heat, finishing fourth fighting with the guys up there.
Like I said I think I couldn’t get any better. Finishing fifth overall after being a year out, I always watch the races and before coming this weekend I said if I can finish around P8, I think that would be my place but I surprised myself a little bit and was right there. Obviously the first couple of guys, they have a high pace and especially the intensity at the beginning of the moto’s was pretty sick but I’m happy with how my weekend went.
GateDrop: Has any part of you missed GP racing at all and especially after today, do you miss it more or are you just at peace with it?
Coldenhoff: I didn’t really miss it but it’s so good to see all the people again. I’ve been in this paddock for 15 years and I made many nice good friends and it’s really nice to see them again. It actually felt like I never left because it’s only a couple of months since my last race last year in Australia and I just felt back at home.
GateDrop: Can you tell me a little bit about your setup, I mean you’re here in a van, you’ve got a couple of bikes, what are the bikes like? I’m guessing they’re better than just a stock bike?
Coldenhoff: It’s a little bit better than a stock bike, I think the biggest thing is I have a really good mapping with ECU but the head is a little bit modified and that’s it really, like a good exhaust. My suspension was working also good this weekend so I think it was nice to fight against all the factory boys. I think we did a pretty good job on the technical side and obviously had a huge help from my friend and really thankful for that because otherwise I wouldn’t be this good.
GateDrop: Just a word on Jeffrey and Kay, well I mean unbelievable!
Coldenhoff: Another level, it’s insane the skills they have in the sand. They are unreal. In the first moto I see third place was 44 seconds or something man, it’s unreal. Those guys, they make it look so easy while it is very very difficult. It’s unbelievable what they showed here today and obviously I didn’t see the moto’s but I know what they are capable of. A big big hats off to those guys.
GateDrop: What was the track like to ride? To be honest it looked nasty and did not look enjoyable one bit!
Coldenhoff: It was quite tough, it’s been a while that I had such a tough track. Obviously I did the race in Keiheuvel a couple of weeks ago which was a good test for me, we finally got a rough track because when you go training you never find any tracks like how it is today. I think yesterday it was still a little bit of a struggle but today I found my flow and it’s been it’s been good.
GateDrop: I guess we have got to talk about Brazil. Are you enjoying being in Brazil racing or is it strange?
Coldenhoff: In the beginning it was kind of difficult but now I feel like I understand how things are going there and I’m managing more the situation. I have won the last eight motos but now we only have two motos left. I’m six points down with one round to go. I just need to go out and win.
GateDrop: I mean what are the tracks like over there, I must confess I haven’t watched all the rounds but I have watched a few towards the start and there were some mudders but when it doesn’t rain what are the tracks like – rock hard?
Coldenhoff: I think the first track where everything went wrong for me, it was a proper proper GP track – they could definitely do a GP there. It was an amazing amazing track and a couple of easy tracks as well. We had a new built track in Goiânia, it was a new track build especially for the race and I heard the last one is going to be in a different place as well compared to what it was last year so it’s going to be new for everyone. That is a little bit better for me because all the tracks I go to, they are new and I need to get used to them very quick because the practice are only two times seven laps with them being 15 minutes sessions. I’m enjoying it because I still love this sport so much and I love to ride my bike. To be able to ride all the new tracks is kind of nice.
GateDrop: What’s the level like? Obviously you and Enzo are going for the title but there’s a few other great riders Van Horebeek, Dos Santos and Aranda?
Coldenhoff: Definitely. I think Van Horebeek has never been as fit. He’s been training more than ever because I see him many times in Lommel. It’s nice and it’s definitely a high competition. I can’t just cruise around, it’s tough and I need to give it my all. I think it’s not too bad.
GateDrop: The Motocross des Nations, I would love to see you there in MX2. It’s probably between you and Kay but his bike’s a little bit unreliable, if you get asked to race in MX2 at the Nations would you be up for it?
Coldenhoff: Sure, sure. I mean if I’m able to go with Kay and Jeffrey that’s a super super solid team. I think the goal must be to go to the podium of course and maybe even get a win. I mean we have won the Nations once in 2019 in Assen. Jeffrey was there, Kay not yet because we did it with Calvin back then. You know, if I can do my job to represent my country again I will definitely be there. I think a good 250cc bike will be organized so that’s also not a problem.
GateDrop: By the way you are talking, it sounds like you are in? Have there been talks?
Coldenhoff: No, I am definitely not in yet. We had a pre-selection but I was not the only one who was in – Kay Karssemakers, Cas Valk but obviously he’s still kind of injured – he just started back riding. We’ve also got Van de Moosdijk so there are a couple riders in the pre selection. I think next week the Dutch coach will give me a call with good news or bad news but either way is good.
GateDrop: And plans for next year, is it locked in for Brazil. Was that a two-year contract?
Coldenhoff: I’m going to speak next week as well to Yamaha Brazil to see if we can make another deal. I definitely need more support here because I’m spending a lot of my own money and I think I’m still too good to do that. I think in 10 years I can use my own money but not now. We’ll see, we’ll have a meeting but anyway I will be continue racing at least in the Netherlands even if I’m not in Brazil.
GateDrop: There’s a few new brands coming to do MXGP, have you got any motivation to do MXGP anymore if you got a good offer, I think you would be a really good development rider, would that be something that would interest you or would you just close the door on it?
Coldenhoff: I would take a job as a test rider definitely. I think I can help any brand going forward but I will not do any GPs anymore.
GateDrop: This is the last GP, for sure?
Coldenhoff: This is the last one.
GateDrop: Not even the Dutch GP next year?
Coldenhoff: No I will come and watch you to enjoy Jeffrey and Kay racing next year.
