Published on 10 August 2020

Who impressed: Latvia MXGP

Glenn Coldenhoff: After two tough GPs at Matterley Basin and Valkenswaard thanks to bad starts and crashes, Glenn Coldenhoff put things right in Latvia! Two great starts on his new factory Gas Gas pit him out front and out of danger in both motos. He made a mistake allowing Gajser back passed in race one, but in race two it was Gajser who crashed chasing Glenn and then Coldenhoff rode mistake free despite big pressure from Seewer in the final laps. It was a brilliant performance and Coldenhoff now moves to third in the standings and is a legitimate title contender.

The GP winner commented: “What can I say? It’s been a great day! After qualifying we made some adjustments to my bike’s suspension and it really paid off in the races. The Standing Construct team have worked hard during lockdown to keep improving our bikes on the starts and it clearly showed today. I started 2nd in race 1, nearly had the holeshot and then I took the lead on the 3rd lap. After a few laps there was a big rock in the rut I was in, which I hit, and it knocked me off balance just before the waves section. I re-joined the race quickly and made another charge towards the end, but it was too late. I finished in 2nd place, which was really good after a not so great qualifying. Race 2, another great start taking the holeshot! It was a tough race though, especially during the final laps, but I’m really happy to have won for myself and the team, especially as it’s only the 3rd MXGP for GASGAS. It’s just awesome. It’s nice to be back in MXGP, I really like the 1-day format and I can’t wait for Wednesday.”

Jeremy Seewer: The Wilvo Yamaha rider has come out swinging and looks intimidated by no-one this year! Seewer looks to be riding with extra intensity this season and gave no quarter to Jeffrey Herlings with a neat block pass that left Herlings fighting for front wheel traction as he tried to cut under the Yamaha rider. Seewer has always been fast and steady but it looks like this year he has went up a gear and has the mindset of being one of the elite guys going for podiums and wins every week. Of course with a stacked field that might not be possible every GP but confidence and expectation along with the speed is there now.

Calvin Vlaanderen: What a turnaround from the opening Grand Prix races! Calvin Vlaanderen and indeed the whole Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha squad were very low and struggling after Valkenswaard but the team can breath a huge sigh of relief with the performance of Vlaanderen in Latvia. He was fast all day from practice to a brilliant last moto that saw him come from the back to 12th for 11th overall – the team now just need to get Lupino and Covington back to their potential!

Benoit Paturel: Jacky Martens may have just resurrected the career of Benoi Paturel! Of course the Frenchman, was race winning contender didn’t lose his talent and has put in the work, but after a couple of years of injuries since moving to MXGP and bouncing around teams, Paturel seems to have found a team and structure that suits him. He has been putting in the laps in the sand this winter and it shows. To get a eighth in race two and ninth overall in Latvia is impressive and more of what we expected from the former MX2 Grand Prix winner.

Article: Jonathan McCready