The much-anticipated new season is here and the paddock already bustling with life as we arrive in France. I can’t wait to get among the teams, greet them and find out what’s new. Castelnau de Levis is a short seven kilometre hop from the picturesque medieval city of Albi with its magnificent cathedral and spectacular bridge over the river Tarn.
This epic track, where Marvin Vanluchene and Nicolas Musset collected the 2023 season title, is spread out across a hillside with a natural viewing gallery opposite. The paddock sits atop that viewing area, so the team supporters get a good sighting of their crews every step of the way.
Already the news from the Kelly Debruyne camp is that she will not start the season due to broken ribs sustained in national competition action. Her passenger Aivar van de Wiel moves to the sidecar of Kim de Cock for this weekend. This will be a huge disappointment for Kelly, but she is not the only one carrying injury.
Dan Foden has virtually recovered from his recently broken wrist but is still struggling with a related thumb problem. The Latvian supporters of Daniel and Bruno Lielbardis are here in strength, but their man Daniel also had some surgery in the last three weeks for a wrist break, still not healed. No way is he fully fit. The young brothers are such a strong pair however, I will not be surprised if they are at the sharp end.
Marvin Vanluchene, on the other hand, having been in action in the French Championship with great success, comes here brimming with confidence.
Defending champion Koen Hermans has gelled well with Dion Rietman in early domestic action, and he will be determined to hold onto that title.
With a very busy quad entry on the card, there was much to do as we prepared the weekend transmission, so obvious interview targets were the defending champions and leading rivals in both disciplines.
A chat with the organiser always goes down well with the TV viewers and the French are never shy when it comes to talking in front of a camera.
This year, the President of the Club is a lady, so that’s a first for me.
Qualifying kicks off tomorrow, and with just fewer than thirty teams entered, everyone will take part in the Grand Prix races on Sunday. The Live Stream details are here on the website, and we are locked, loaded, and ready to go.
Stand by for new information and all other news as it becomes available onwww.fimsidecarcross.com along with all our social media outlets.
From Barry Nutley
