Marvin Vanluchene and Ben van den Bogaart lead the way to Lithuania next weekend (1-2 August) holding an enhanced lead in the standings following last week’s stunning GP in Latvia. Following overall victory, their lead over Killian and Evan Prunier is now thirty-four points, with Tim Prummer and Patrick Schneider a further twenty-one points back in third.
Prummer’s approach had been clinical, calculating and effective, just like the attitude of the two teams ahead of him. The vast experience of Vanluchene and van den Bogaart is plain to see on track. The support they receive from the garage is reliable and relentlessly thorough. Nothing short of that dedication across the team has got them to the position they are today.
The Prunier brothers also have a strong support group, albeit mainly family members who have committed their lives to a singular goal, that being to provide the first-ever French World Champion.
The same can be said of Tim Prummer, although at the start of the season he would not have envisaged being this close to the top.
Behind this illustrious trio is the British pair third in last year’s title chase, Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard. They are forty-nine points adrift of third place, but their dogged determination to make the most of mediocre starts, is a quality to be both admired and feared.
Outside of this quartet, a mixture of mechanical failures and downright bad luck has handicapped some key names, not least of all defending champion Koen Hermans who, now joined by Dion Rietman, has all but kissed goodbye to the number one spot.
This will be the final trip to the Baltics this season, and there will be enormous support from the hordes of enthusiastic fans from all three home nations.
Given this is a new venue, there is added interest to what is an already fascinating prospect.
The FIM World Quadcross Championship is also on the menu for the eighth and penultimate round of it’s inaugural year, so there will be non-stop action across both days. It’s a full and thrilling agenda, so expect another dramatic weekend in Lithuania with Saturday Qualifying and Sunday races as they happen with full commentary both days on FIM-MOTO.TV Live Stream.
All details are here on the website, so why not join us in person and put weekend (August 1-2) in your diary to visit Madona and see, hear and smell the action.
Also, keep abreast of latest news as it becomes available on www.fimsidecarcross.com along with all our social media outlets.
From Barry Nutley
