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“If Herlings had participated, it would probably have been 1, 2, 3 and 4”
It was unique last month in Lommel in Flanders. The entire podium after a grand prix in the highest motocross class turned orange. Brian Bogers took the top step, Calvin Vlaanderen and Glenn Coldenhoff were in second and third place.
Dutch dominance in the loose sand. Even in the absence of Jeffrey Herlings, the injured two-time world champion. “If he had participated, it would probably have been one, two, three and four for the Netherlands,” says Bogers, who recorded his first win in the MXGP in Lommel.
‘Just the best in the world’
Bogers was, as he describes it himself, “in one match the best in the world”. A childhood dream came true. “You work your whole life for that and it finally happens.”
Today Bogers hopes to continue his victory in Lommel during the MXGP of Sweden, the fifteenth of eighteen races this season.
To get used to the conditions in Sweden, Bogers trained last week in Lelystad, where the surface of the circuit is a bit harder than usual on Dutch tracks. “In Lommel we drove in the deep, deep sand. It took some getting used to here, but it is good training for Sweden.”
“Is there something wrong with him?”
The 25-year-old Bogers has been riding in the MXGP since 2018, but it was not as good as two weeks ago. “It was very special. I passed Tim Gajser, the best driver in the world, and I expected some pressure from behind. But I took a step back and thought: maybe there is something wrong with him?”
“I passed someone and I saw on the board that I was 15 seconds ahead. Then I thought: well, I think I’m just that good at the moment.”
Check out the summary of the MXGP of Flanders below:
Orange at the top in MXGP: historic Dutch podium in Flanders GP
The victory in Lommel came shortly after the birth of his first child. “That gives positive energy, but I have to be honest, in the beginning I was a bit afraid of it. Of course you take quite a lot of risks on a dirt bike.”
“Would you then take fewer risks”, Bogers wondered, “because you have a little boy sitting at home now.” It turned out not to be the case. “For me it works the other way around: it gives me positive energy. Of course you always have to perform at the weekend, but now you also have to take good care of your boy. You have to earn well for that.”
‘Motivation for young riders’
It was a special race for Bogers, but actually for the entire motocross in the Netherlands, with a completely orange podium. “Three Dutch flags, that’s super special. What’s causing that? I wouldn’t know. But we’re all doing well and I hope it gives young riders the motivation to finish at the top one day.”
Orange Pictures
The success in Belgium shows once again that the top of Dutch motocross is broader than just Herlings. The Dutch who were on the podium together last month can all be found in the top ten of the World Cup position. Coldenhoff is fourth, Bogers seventh and Flanders is number eight.
“We have proven that we can keep up with the level. But Jeffrey is sometimes a special case. He rises above us most times.”
Bogers hopes to rise at least one place. “The number six is only ten points ahead of me. The goal is to take over that place. Sixth in the main division would be super good. Of course you want to be in the top five, but it cannot go well for eighteen games. If I am sixth can be, I am very satisfied.”
