TEST DAY FOR DUTCH RIDERS IN ARNHEM ON REDESIGNED TRACK

Riders coming to Arnhem next week for the Dutch MXGP will notice that the start area has got a new design. The start has been moved forward and the first corner, which was a quite tight left-right corner, is now a long lefthander. Dutch riders were given the opportunity to test the new lay out and they all said that it’s an improvement.

Most of the top riders from the Netherlands were present. Not there Jeffrey Herlings as he was in England for a race. Glenn Coldenhoff was present but didn’t ride, as it didn’t suit his training program.

After they had finished their test ride we sat down with some of the riders to talk with them about their changes in their home GP. In advance it could become a fantastic weekend for the Dutch spectators with riders in three classes capable of winning the home GP: Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff in MXGP, Kay de Wolf in MX2 and Lotte van Drunen in WMX.

Glenn Coldenhoff is the eldest rider in MXGP. Nevertheless he’s on course for his second bronze medal. Coldenhoff: “That’s the most important for me now, getting that bronze medal. I like the track in Sweden and in Arnhem I want to be in the top three. Both the years before I narrowly missed the podium. I realise it wont’t be easy now that Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser are back again, but I will try.” Coldenhoff should like to win on his Fantic as he has already won GP’s in MXGP on all the other makes he rode (KTM, GasGas and Yamaha).

Kay de Wolf is one of the few riders who didn’t keep his regular number after clinching the world title. He rides with #1 this year. De Wolf: “This is an opportunity maybe one gets once in a lifetime, that’s why I ride with #1.” De Wolf, at present second in the MX2 38 points behind Simon Längenfelder, knows what his goal is in Arnhem: “Like in Lommel winning all races, so I can gain back some points. I hope in Sweden to be level on points with Längenfelder and Andrea Adamo.”

The 2025 season started exceptionnally well for the Dutch women as after the first GP (Riola Sarda, Sardinia) they filled the podium with Lotte van Drunen winning in front of Lynn Valk and Shana van der Vlist. For Van Drunen, who turned 18 last weekend, the preparation for this year was not very well as she broke her ankle in the States in November. Van Drunen: “Now after the long break I have made steps. I feel very comfortable on the bike, I am completely fit. I won both times in Arnhem, I hope to win for the third time. It won’t be easy as there is a strong competition this year.”

In the EMX250 Gyan Doensen, second in last year’s EMX125, is fourth now in the standings. Doensen: “I’ve been twice on the podium this year. I am not satisfied about that, as it could have been more times. For sure I go for the podium in Arnhem.”

Photo Credit: Jan Boer