The storms sweeping across Europe in recent days have also landed in Poland, with an unsettled weather forecast for the weekend in Gdansk.
On arrival at the track early today, the rain was already falling, with a gloomy prediction over the next two days. However, this track remains totally rideable in all conditions, so this is but one more challenge for the teams.
I embarked on a track walk of the entire lap in the company of lady racer Kelly Debryne to see just how well the track had been prepared. The jumps are perfectly contoured, the surface is well-graded, and there is good width all the way round the lap. Double victory here last year went to the Prunier brothers, and I can see why. This sort of track is their staple diet.
A string of injuries has reduced the sidecar entries, with at least nine teams in total withdrawing including two top British crews, one of those being third-placed Dan Foden and Noah Weinmann, Dan’s thumb injury is seriously inflamed and in need of remedial treatment. He has stated his intention to sit out this round and the next in Estonia. He will therefore gift the position opportunity to either Tim Prummer/Patrick Schneider or hard-charging Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard, now in a rich vein of form.
Also missing are the fast-starting Mike Hodges/Ryan Henderson, with Mike having ridden through the pain barrier in Canada Heights carrying a long-standing shoulder injury. This now needs rest, and with the Hodges/Foden camps being travelling companions, this might be an opportune time.
The Lielbardis twins are absent too, with Bruno’s illness of last weekend proving to be appendicitis needing surgery. He flew from the UK direct to the Baltics to have that procedure and will therefore miss the next two rounds. No suitable replacement passenger was available at short notice, but hopefully someone will be onboard for the Estonian race. At the time of going to press, a total of twenty-three teams have made the trip, negating the need for last chance qualifying.
Given Dan Foden’s absence, it makes sense to interview the people who most benefit, so we will grab Tim Prummer and Brett Wilkinson, both sitting just below Dan in the points, as well as Marvin Vanluchene, who now trails the red plate holders Killian and Evan Prunier by a slender twelve-point deficit.
Quad interviews on our list will include Karlis Neija from Latvia, defending champion Harry Walker and an American rider from the AMA championship.
The Quad entry list is very full, without Mike van Grinsven the only high-profile non-starter.
Quads are very much at home here in Poland, and especially important is that entry by the first rider from the USA to compete in this inaugural world championship year. Zack Decker is from Florida, with his father being the driving force behind the Decker Training facility in the sunshine state.
Qualifying and Sunday races are live as they happen with full commentary both days on FIM-MOTO.TV. Better still, all details are here on the website, so grab a late flight, and make the journey to Gdansk in Poland to join us in person. The track is a small forty Euro cab fare from the airport and rental cars are not expensive here. There are also several hotels close by. Failing that, keep abreast of latest news as it becomes available on www.fimsidecarcross.com along with all our social media outlets.
- From Barry Nutley
