The day began under bright blue skies with a mood of high expectation in the air. This was a pivotal round with the top three contenders hiding what must have been a nervous start to the weekend. The campsite was already housing many motorhomes, with spectators arriving early from far and wide to watch the feast of world championship motocross.
Free Practice – A strong entry of well over thirty teams would guarantee a “Last Chance” qualifying session. The two groups were sorted, with the track in spectacular condition. The heavy rain had done its job, with no difficult mud evident. Group “A” saw Killian and Evan Prunier stamp their mark on a track they know and love, ahead of a spectacular Justin Keuben/Dion Rietman, whilst a late charge by Tim Prummer/Jarno Steegmans took them ahead of the Lielbardis twins and Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard in Group “B”.
Group “A” timed practice – Thirty minutes to find one quick lap was the challenge ahead of the entire pack, and it was going to be very interesting indeed. Without doubt, the French favourites Killian and Evan Prunier would take some stopping this weekend if their times were anything to go by. They led Group “A” after twenty minutes, almost two seconds faster than second placed Davy Sanders/Jens Vincent, with the red plate holders Koen Hermans and Ben van den Bogaart third fastest.
Into the final five minutes, and Keuben/Rietman jumped into the frame, going second fastest, underlining their intentions. The Dutch duo was within three-tenths of Prunier, so they would too be a threat on this showing.
Group “B” timed practice – The track had not taken much of a pounding and was holding up well. Could Group “B” times match those of the previous group, well we were about to find out.
In the early laps it was the Zabel of Benny Weiss/Patrick Schneider leading the way one second shy of Prunier’s time.
The Austrians, race winners in Kramolin, were clearly at home on this track too. Wilkinson/Millard sat fifth after ten minutes, with Foden/Weinmann ahead of them. Tim Prummer/Jarno Steegmans were third and the Lielbardis twins second fastest. Still the Austrian lap time held good, with the Austrian crew parked in pit lane watching the attempts to attack it.
With ten minutes left on the clock, The Lielbardis twins were still searching for the elusive half-second, with the new Anglo/German pairing of Dan Foden/Noah Weinmann showing how well they have gelled in recent weeks now holding third. A time of 1.54.852 was enough for Weiss/Schneider to claim pole position and therefore first gate choice for their race.
Group “A” Qualifying Race – Down went the gate for the twenty-minute encounter. A brilliant hole-shot by the Prunier brothers gave them a lead they would only improve. Mike Hodges/Ryan Henderson slotted second with Daniel Willemsen/Michel Gabor attacking as hard as they could.
This battle was a good one, until Koen Hermans/Ben van den Bogaart split them up, moving last Willemsen into third. Hodges was a tougher nut to crack and was passed three times, only to regain the place. Once he was by, Hermans got really stuck in and pulled away. The gap to Prunier was by now too much, but Hermans rode for the four qualifying points, thereby giving one away to the race leaders.
Further back, a fight through the field by Davy Sanders/Jens Vincent from a lowly start, took them eventually to a fine third place and a good feeling for tomorrow.
There were fights all the way down with Adrian Peter/Joel Hoffmann in the thick of it along with Stephan Wijers/Han van Hal also making up lost ground from a bad start fighting through with Adrian Peter, Gwendal Carcreff and Mike Hodges. This was yet another determined ride by Wijers/van Hal, rewarding them with fourth place at the flag.
The Prunier brothers were supreme, bringing it home well ahead of Hermans/van den Bogart, who admitted they could not make inroads.
Result – 1/ Prunier/Prunier, 2/ Hermans/van den Bogaart, 3/ Sanders/Vincent
4/ Wijers/van Hal, 5/ Hodges/Henderson, 6/ Carcreff/Hupon,
7/ Peter/Hoffmann, 8/ Gordejev/Lebreton, 9/ Willemsen/Gabor,
10/ Bendaoud/Pasquier, 11/ Hoormann/Schlinnertz, 12/ Osbaldiston/Mackay
Group “B” Qualifying Race – The hole-shot by Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard was just what they needed for their title attack. They headed off with Stuart Brown/Scott Grahame and Benny Weiss/Patrick Schneider in hot pursuit. It was a good day for the British teams, with Dan Foden/Noah Weinmann slotting fourth from a very fast Tim Prummer/Jarno Steegmans. The Lielbardis brothers did not get the best of starts and found themselves behind the Leferinks. This was not the first time these brothers had locked horns, and the fight went right through the race.
Another good race with strength in depth saw quality scraps right down the field, including a particularly good fight between Tom van de Lagemaat and the young Swiss Kaser brothers Remo and Luca. This young pair are new together, Luca only just becoming old enough to compete.
Wilkinson/Millard held firm at the front as Weiss/Schneider closed in. The gap was down to one second at places, but Wilkinson worked the left-handed sidecar well, holding the lead to the flag.
As Stuart Brown/Scott Grahame slipped backwards, they crashed over a tabletop bringing out yellow flags. This slowed the pace of the race, but still the Lielbardis brothers made no impact on the Leferinks.
With two laps remaining, out came the red flag to recover Stuart Brown and his passenger for medical inspection. Simultaneously, Benny Weiss stalled his Zabel on a hill but retained his second spot on count-back.
Wilkinson’s victory was just what they needed, pulling back another point on Hermans and the red plate. The British joy was complete with automatic qualification by newcomers Jack Rogers/Ryan Beavis in tenth place.
Result – 1/ Wilkinson/Millard, 2/ Weiss/Schneider, 3/ Foden/Weinmann,
4/ Prummer/Steegmans, 5/ Leferink/Leferink, 6/ Lielbardis/Lielbardis,
7/ van de Lagemaat/Musset, 8/ Kaser/Kaser, 9/ Brown/Booth,
10/ Rogers/Beavis, 11/Chanteloup/Chanteloup, 12/ Seifert/Kinder.
Last Chance – With twenty-four already through, the remaining six grid spots would come from the times last Chance shoot-out. Always keenly watched by all the teams, this one was no exception.
Result – 1/ Keuben/Rietman, 2/ Knubben/Plettke, 3/ Poirier/Poirier,
4/ Raymond/Variekeite, 5/ Montleros/Montleros, 6/ Hertfelder/Blume
Two Grand Prix races take place tomorrow, so stay with us here for all news plus other updates here on www.fimsidecarcross.com along with all our social media platforms.
From Barry Nutley
