Team Suzuki Press Office – September 21.
@Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe closed the book on the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship with Glenn Coldenhoff doing his best to record a decent fifth position overall in the heat of Glen Helen, California for the Monster Energy MXGP of USA.
The Dutchman steered his RM-Z450 to a brace of fifths in the final two motos of the season for what was the last and eighteenth fixture on the calendar and with just one major event remaining: the Motocross of Nations at Ernee, France next week.
Glen Helen simmered in late summer temperatures and a slight breeze was the only respite from the sun around the hilly, fast and long layout near San Bernardino. Coldenhoff struggled to deal with the climate on Saturday but was well aware of what to expect on Sunday for the two 30 minute and two-lap sprints.
In the first race ‘#259’ launched into a top-10 position as 22,000 spectators (weekend figure) looked on. It was a promising start and he started to gain positions through the moto to eventually hit fifth for a result that slightly outreached his expectations. Knowing he had the stamina and capacity to take good points with his RM-Z450 Coldenhoff made an even better start in the second moto and was immediately part of the second group of riders behind the leading trio. From there he chased the back of Evgeny Bobryshev and kept a healthy distance over Jeremy Van Horebeek as the rate of attrition climbed along with the mercury that bobbled over 100 degrees.
Fifth overall again and Coldenhoff finished what has been an impressive first season in the premier class with victory at the Grand Prix of Latvia and eighth position in the standings. He also landed the 2015 ADAC MX Masters German title.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP have endured an injury-hit campaign. Clement Desalle and Kevin Strijbos did not contest the final Grands Prix of the season due to shoulder, knee and wrist problems. The Belgian duo did however accumulate 10 podium finishes between them.
Glenn Coldenhoff:
“Not so bad today. I got so sick yesterday and still wasn't feeling so great. I got tired early out there but it looks like I am a good survivor! I think I was the third best European both times. It was a good way to end the season and I’ve finished eighth in the championship. It has been a great year. I struggled a bit in the beginning but really showed my potential later on. My goal has been achieved and I’m pretty happy.”
MXGP Moto1: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 35:54.457; 2. Cooper Webb (USA, Yamaha), +0:00.724; 3. Josh Grant (USA, Kawasaki), +0:23.369; 4. Jason Anderson (USA, Husqvarna), +0:34.642; 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:38.012; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), +0:39.495; 7. Dean Wilson (GBR, KTM), +0:41.977; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +0:48.001; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:55.692; 10. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:58.982;
MXGP Moto2: 1. Josh Grant (USA, Kawasaki), 36:17.374; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.621; 3. Cooper Webb (USA, Yamaha), +0:17.132; 4. Dean Wilson (GBR, KTM), +0:18.260; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:45.661; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), +0:51.367; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:57.887; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +1:03.920; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), +1:07.744; 10. Davi Millsaps (USA, KTM), +1:11.790;
MXGP Overall result: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 47 points; 2. Josh Grant (USA, KAW), 45 p.; 3. Cooper Webb (USA, YAM), 42 p.; 4. Dean Wilson (GBR, KTM), 32 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), 30 p.; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 28 p.; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 26 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 23 p.; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), 20 p.; 10. Jason Anderson (USA, HUS), 18 p.;
MXGP Final World Championship Standings: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 735 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 592 p.; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 567 p.; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 481 p.; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 449 p.; 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 442 p.; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 432 p.; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), 423 p.; 9. Todd Waters (AUS, HUS), 354 p.; 10. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 331 p.; 11. Dean Ferris (AUS, HUS), 294 p.; 12. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 287 p.