Fantic Factory rider, Glenn Coldenhoff showed once again, if you give him a rough, dirty old track, he will perform at his best. Despite being the oldest racer in the paddock, at 34 years of age, the likeable Dutchman keeps showing up.

Having started his Grand Prix career in 2008 (although just one GP in 2008 and one in 2009), he is now into his 16th season of full-time racing Grand Prix motocross, and we don’t seem to see any sign of his results dropping off. In fact, in 2025, he has started the season, better than any season in his long career.

We stopped by the Fantic team after the wet weekend and caught up with Coldenhoff and he was more than happy to tell us about the performance, from not just himself, but also from the team.

MXLarge: For most of us, this was a horrible weekend. Way too cold, wet and muddy, yet you come out and do what you do in these types of conditions. What is your secret?

Coldenhoff: I didn’t enjoy it at all (laughing). If it is raining like it did often, it was horrible out there. We could manage to make laps, but that was it. Yesterday, in the qualification heat, it was more or less, okay and it started to be good, but when we came here this morning, it was not good and all day, we had many showers. In the MX2 race, they had a big shower and in our second moto, again a bit shower. It was very, very tough. I tried to ride a little bit like Liam (Everts), but it wasn’t that easy. In the end, it is amazing for our team, they really deserve it, because, they put in so much effort, they spent so much money. Also, Fantic, they do an amazing job this year and it looks like it is showing already now. Two GPs in and both were really, really good. We can definitely go further from here.

MXlarge: A great Grand Prix for the team.

Coldenhoff: It was a really good GP. Also, in Argentina I wasn't too bad and I was consistent. Fantic made big improvements, and I made two good starts, but it was very tough out there and very difficult, but we made it happen. Second overall and two Fantics on the podium. I am so happy to be here, and it is something that is amazing. I think it will be a nice season for Fantic this year. They worked so hard, and we are working close together, and everyone is really motivated and that gives me a lot of energy and today we see it works out.

MXlarge: I get the feeling it is a bit like 2019, when you had that really good season, winning a few GPs and really showing good speed. Does it feel a bit like that for you?

Coldenhoff: The thing is, I enjoy riding again, with this bike. The bike is doing what I want it to do and that makes riding a lot more fun. It also makes the training days more fun, because you know you can perform on the bike. I enjoy the hard work and everyone around me, has been working and listening what I need and what I like, and it seems they managed to do what I needed. I am super happy. A race like this is a big of a gamble, but I pulled off two good starts and that was key here this weekend. I am really happy for the whole team.

MXlarge: I am a big pussy, so I wake up this morning and think, its cold, its wet, it’s horrible, but motocrossers are built differently, right?

Coldenhoff: You know, I try and go in neutral, do my start, do my job and make use of my technique and that worked out well. After that first moto, it was just rideable. At one point, you think, maybe at one point, maybe its better to cancel, but in MXGP, they almost never cancel, only when people get stuck on the track and that wasn’t the case.

MXLarge: It seems like watching you guys, the slower you went, the better it was. Liam and Tim were really impressive how they did it. Liam looked like he was just cruising around looking at the scenery. What is the best way to ride a track that is this wet and muddy?

Coldenhoff: Yes, you should try and stay on the pegs and let the bike do the work. Be loose on your legs, let the bike go where it wants to do and try and stay in balance. You have to balance a lot, today and yesterday and that is key.

MXLarge: You just turned 34 and you seem like you are like a good wine?

Coldenhoff: Yes, it seems like it. It has been two years since I was on the podium, but I feel really good, maybe stronger than I have ever been. I have a bike that is really working like I want it to and that gives me energy. Also, more confidence, because you know you can do it, and I am just happy.

MXLarge: You obviously love tracks like this, or like Arnhem, which is also really rough. Would you prefer just rough like that, or do you also like places like Matterley Basin?

Coldenhoff: Well, I have also won at Matterley Basin, so yes, I like that one as well, but I don’t think it matters, I like all tracks really. What I should be working on, it really hard pack tracks, which is normally a track like this, when it is dry. Most of the tracks, the way they prepare them in MXGP, they all suit me really.

MXLarge: When you start the year like this, scoring two solid results and scoring a lot of points, that goal of being a World champion must still live inside you. Your confidence and determination to win some GPs and fight for a title, it must still be strong?

Coldenhoff: You know, this is the best start to a season I have had in my whole career. I think time will tell, it is obviously still a dream, every athlete wants to be World champion and that is still a dream, but I also know I have to be realistic; it will be very difficult. I think if I look at the first two rounds, as I said, this is my best start ever and normally I slowly get better and now two GPs in, I am solid, but lets look after five or six GPs in, but we will see what happens in the coming GPs.

Eva Szabadfi images