Glenn Coldenhoff secured seventh overall on his Fantic XXF 450 to finish off two consecutive Indonesian GP weekends under scorching hot conditions. Fantic Factory Racing MX2’s David Braceras scored his first top-10 moto result of the year.
Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
Glenn Coldenhoff was right at the sharp end of the highly competitive MXGP class from the get-go on the second race weekend of the Indonesian double-header in Lombok. The “Hoff” set top-3 lap times in both the practice sessions on Saturday before securing a solid sixth gate-pick in the qualifying race.
In race 1 on Sunday, Coldenhoff didn’t get the best of starts but managed to sneak into eight place in the opening lap. The Dutchman rode a solid race and was on a charge in the second half of the moto, moving up two more spots to sixth. A start just outside the top 10 meant Coldenhoff had again some work to do in the second moto. He managed to move his way up to P8, giving him seventh overall for the day. In the MXGP championship standings, the Fantic Factory rider sits now in sixth after round 12 of 20.
Brian Bogers had to sit out the races in Indonesia but he is already working on his recovery back in Europe. After dislocating his left shoulder in the qualifying race at the MXGP of West Nusa Tenggara a week ago, the Dutchman travelled back home where further medical checks ruled out any major damage to his shoulder joint.
Glenn Coldenhoff: “This weekend was already way better than the last one. I was second in free practice and third in time practice on Saturday. Even though I didn’t get such a good start in the qualifying race, I came back to sixth place. On Sunday morning I felt good again, I was third in the warm-up but I missed both the starts in the races. That made it really difficult. In the first moto I felt quite good and still came back to sixth. In the second moto I was a bit off and only managed an eight place. At least I have the speed for one lap, we have seen that in all the practice sessions, but it is even more important to have the speed for the 30 minutes. We did some changes on the bike for this weekend and it was again an improvement but we are not yet where we want to be. We want to fight for the podium and we need to keep on working for that. There are still many more nice races coming up.”
Fantic Factory Racing MX2
David Braceras started the MXGP of Lombok off with the ninth fastest time in free practice, followed by P12 in time practice. In the qualifying race, he secured another twelve place. Kay Karssemakers experienced a tougher start to the second race weekend in Indonesia and qualified in 16th.
Karssemakers bounced back with a solid start to the first moto on Sunday. He was fighting in the top 10 for the first part of the race before dropping a few positions and crossing the finish line in 13th. Braceras wasn’t able to get going again after a crash in the opening stages and was forced to retire.
In the second and final race of the Indonesian double-header, Braceras put in his best performance of the season so far. After a strong start on his Fantic XXF 250, the Spaniard managed to hold on to eighth place for most of the race. He lost a bit of ground in the latter stages but still managed to take a well-deserved tenth spot. Unfortunately, Karssemakers run into issues after a crash and had to retire.
David Braceras: “It was really tough to race here in Indonesia but I am quite happy with the speed and the feeling on the bike. Unfortunately, I did a mistake in the first moto, I crashed and couldn’t finish the race. In the second moto I managed my best result of the season so far with a tenth place. I am quite happy to turn it around after some difficult races. It is not yet were I want to be and what we are working for but I am sure with all the effort and everyone pushing so hard we will get where the team, Fantic and myself deserve to be. We keep on working to be stronger for Loket.”
Kay Karssemakers: “It wasn’t an easy weekend here in Indonesia. In the first moto I had an okay start and I was able to go with the guys in the top 10 for the first ten minutes. That was quite good but, unfortunately, I got a bit of arm pump and dropped some places to come home in 13th. The first laps of race 2 were again quite good but then I had a small crash and ran into some issues. That was a bit unfortunate but we work hard as a team and have our eyes already set on Loket in two weeks’ time. Thanks to everyone, see you there!”
