Glenn Coldenhoff has claimed third overall at the MXGP of Europe to secure a positive end to the trio of races at Mantova, Italy. Round 11 of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship saw Coldenhoff come agonizingly close to winning the opening MXGP class moto before he placed fifth in race two. The Dutchman was rewarded with a trip to the third step of the overall podium. MXGP teammate Ivo Monticelli delivered a season-best finish of 11th overall following strong 8-11 results, while in MX2, the DIGA Procross Factory Juniors continued to enjoy their own success. Isak Gifting placed seventh in the opening moto with Michael Sandner claiming two 15th place finishes for 15th overall.
In qualifying fastest Coldenhoff claimed GASGAS Motorcycles’ maiden MXGP pole position and laid the foundations for what would prove to be a hugely positive day for the Dutchman. Making a strong start in race one, he completed a few cautious laps as the race unfolded before forming part of a frantic battle for the top five. Settling into sixth place mid moto, Glenn then put together a series of calculated passes, using creative lines as he pressed forwards to eventually move into second on the penultimate lap. In a dramatic end to the race, he closed in on eventual race winner Tim Gajser to cross the finish line right behind the MXGP World Championship leader.
Following an impressive opening race, Coldenhoff dug deep in moto two and with very few passing opportunities due to one fast line around the Mantova circuit secured a fifth-place finish for third overall.
Ivo Monticelli enjoyed another strong day at the Mantova venue, finally turning a corner in a season blighted by ailments and injury to sign off another trio of MXGP rounds on a positive note. A season-best result of eighth in race one finally proved the Italian’s capabilities, latching onto his Standing Construct teammate during the early stages of the race and eventually earning a well-deserved top-10 result.
A crash on lap one of race two did little to derail the Italian’s hopes of a solid overall result. After remounting quickly, Ivo went on a charge and ended the moto in a strong 11th place. The MC 450F rider was unfortunate to miss out on a top-10 overall result, eventually finishing 11th and carrying some much-needed confidence into next weekend’s MXGP of Spain.
It was another positive round of MX2 World Championship action for the DIGA Procross Factory Juniors team at the MXGP of Europe. Race one very nearly saw Michael Sandner roar to the holeshot before he enjoyed time inside the top 10. Crashing while defending his position, Michael was quick to remount and brought his MC 250F home in 15th place, which he then replicated in race two for 15th overall.
Isak Gifting recorded his strongest result since he joined the DIGA Procross team with an impressive seventh in race one. Never flustered by his more experienced rivals, Gifting rode a strong race and set himself up for a positive overall result. Frustratingly, it wasn’t to be as a number of falls in the second moto resulted in the 19-year-old finishing just outside of the points.
In the EMX125 class, David Braceras claimed a strong sixth overall on his MC 125. The Spanish racer’s 8-6 result maintains his fourth-place ranking in the championship with five of nine rounds now complete.
Glenn Coldenhoff: “It’s always good to be on the podium. Obviously, I would like the top step and with some better starts I think I can be there. I was really happy with my first race. I had some nice lines and it all came together towards the end and I was really close at the finish. Overall, this is a good result, but we always want more. With the team we’ll work on starts this week and be ready for Spain.”
Ivo Monticelli: “Today was positive for me. I set a fast lap in qualifying, and sat first for quite some time so that was a good start to the day. I felt great on my bike and in the races and I was finally able to get a decent result in the first race. I was ready for the same in race two but a crash on the opening lap was frustrating. I managed to reach eleventh, which was good, but overall I have my confidence back. I know I can be top 10 so I hope for more of the same in Spain next weekend.”
Isak Gifting: “My first race was good, my best result on the GASGAS so I’m really happy. I was able to run the pace of the top guys so a seventh in race one was really good. Race two was not great. I crashed with another rider and bent my bars and then crashed again. Not great, but I know I can finish in the top 10 so I look forward to racing again next week. I’ve had a great week in Italy with the team, they have been great so everything besides the second moto today is positive.”
Michael Sandner: “Two solid races today. I felt great all day on my bike and in the first moto I had an awesome start. I was in second place for a few laps and then I had a small crash and lost a lot of time. I was able to finish 15th so this was a good race for me. Second race, not such a good start but I made some good passes on the first lap and finished in 15th again. I was really happy with my riding today and I have to thank the team for all that they have done for me!”
Standing Construct GASGAS Factory Racing and DIGA Procross Factory Juniors head to Spain for the next round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, round 12 of the series that takes place on October 11.
Download high-res images from round eleven of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship, the MXGP of Europe, here.
Results – 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship, Round 11
MXGP – Overall
1. Tim Gajser (Honda) 47; 2. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 41; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (GASGAS) 38… 11. Ivo Monticelli (GASGAS) 23
MXGP - Race 1
1. Tim Gajser (Honda) 17 laps, 34:17:344; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (GASGAS) 34:18:607; 3. Jorge Prado (KTM) 34:22:269… 8. Ivo Monticelli (GASGAS) 34:37:998
MXGP - Race 2
1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 17 laps, 34:09:190; 2. Tim Gajser (Honda) 34:11:842; 3. Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha) 34:15:529… 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (GASGAS) 34:29:893; 11. Ivo Monticelli (GASGAS) 34:47:811
MX2 – Overall
1. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) 47; 2. Tom Vialle (KTM) 47; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Husqvarna) 36… 13. Isak Gifting (GASGAS) 14; 15. Michael Sandner (GASGAS) 12
MX2 - Race 1
1. Tom Vialle (KTM) 17 laps, 34:19:566; 2. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) 34:20:989; 3. Conrad Mewse (KTM) 34:24:339... 7. Isak Gifting (GASGAS) 35:07:304; 15. Michael Sandner (GASGAS) 36:02:744
MX2 - Race 2
1. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) 17 laps, 34:04:896; 2. Tom Vialle (KTM) 34:05:878; 3. Ben Watson (Yamaha) 34:22:288… 15. Michael Sandner (GASGAS) 35:47:011; 24. Isak Gifting (GASGAS) 16 laps, 35:23:298
Championship Standings – After Round 11
MXGP
1. Tim Gajser (Honda) 399pts; 2. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 388; 3. Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha) 369… 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (GASGAS) 341; 17. Ivo Monticelli (GASGAS) 105
MX2
1. Tom Vialle (KTM) 478pts; 2. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) 432; 3. Jed Beaton (Husqvarna) 348… 23. Isak Gifting (GASGAS) 61; 25. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 59; 29. Jeremy Sydow (GASGAS) 35; 32. Michael Sandner (GASGAS) 22