CALVIN VLAANDEREN – PRESSURE MOUNTING

While most of the current plaudits go to series favourites, Romain Febvre and Lucas Coenen and MXGP legends, Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser, the fight for a top five finish in the 2025 MXGP championship is something that is important to Monster Energy Yamaha rider, Calvin Vlaanderen.

Already a GP winner in the class and with 7-6-7 end of season placings in the MXGP class, a fourth of fifth place in the 2025 season would be a highlight for the always hard-working Yamaha man. With three rounds to go, just 26 points off fourth placed rider Ruben Fernandez and 31 points ahead of sixth placed rider, Jeffrey Herlings, there is some pressure mounting.

With three overall podium results in the last four Grands Prix, Vlaanderen was understandably excited for the MXGP of The Netherlands, in Arnhem. Also, a find sand rider, he couldn’t have expected to struggle like he did. All didn’t go to plan though for the South African born, Dutchman, as his 12-13 results for 12th overall were a long way off his expectations.

“It’s been a tough day,” Vlaanderen said of his Arnhem performance. “I struggled to find my rhythm all weekend, and I had a big crash in Free Practice, so that knocked my confidence a little too. From the gate I had for the races, I had bad starts, and I found the track tough to pass on. I’m in one piece though, and now I’ll reset before the final three rounds.”

At the previous Grand Prix in Sweden, Vlaanderen had claimed third overall at the MXGP of Sweden and following his recent overall podium results at the sand tracks of the KymiRing in Finland and Lommel in Belgium, Vlaanderen was eager to showcase his hardpack riding skills in Sweden. He didn’t disappoint.

“I was super happy to be on the box again,” Vlaanderen said of his Sweden overall result. “To make it back-to-back podiums. I really wanted to get it done on the hardpack, and that was my goal coming into this Grand Prix. I was really happy with my riding this weekend and I felt great on the bike too, so I wasn’t stressed at all, and I knew I could do it. It was a lot of fun battling with Maxime and Isak in Race Two, and it was a shame that Maxime beat me and Isak fell, but I’m still so happy to be on the podium again.”

Recently selected for the Dutch MXoN team, and a good chance of even climbing into fourth place in the MXGP championship points, Vlaanderen heads into Türkiye this weekend with a goal of getting back on the podium and closing the 26 point gap to fourth placed man in the points, Ruben Fernandez. He will also have to look over his shoulder, as Herlings tries to close gap and pass his fellow Dutchman in the final season points.

Photo credit: Yamaha