Hot on the heels of a stunning French GP at Iffendic, the 2024 FIM heads for yet another very fast hillside track, but this time in Germany over the weekend of 20-21 July.
Words by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC – Stijn Vanoverbeke
France last weekend was memorable in so many ways, not least of all the fervent support from the huge crowd. They were urging their French favourites to new levels of performance, and their national champion heroes the Prunier brothers so very nearly delivered. But the red plate stays with Marvin Vanluchene and Glenn Janssens with a slightly enhanced points advantage.
At the podium interview, Daniel Lielbardis was obviously disappointed, but in the same breath stated that Strassbessenbach was just coming up, and they would get back some of those lost points.
Well, we all admire their ability and confidence, so shortly, we will discover if that desire becomes reality. Marvin Vanluchene has been in this position many times, and always takes it race by race.
Koen Hermans and Ben van den Bogaart showed great speed in Iffendic qualifying, but due to having to fight up the field in both French races, were unable to replicate that promise. They surrendered third place in the title chase to Killian and Evan Prunier, who, if I recall correctly, had a good ride in Strassbessenbach last year. The style of the hillside track is not dissimilar to Iffendic, so we are bound to see some fireworks. Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard still sit fifth but are coming under pressure from Tim Prummer and Rodolphe Lebreton and the Leferink brothers. The steep drops and hard climbs might well suit Wilkinson’s dogged style and bravery, so that will be another fascinating scenario.
We are rapidly approaching the final quarter of this season, but a long rest period after Strassbessenbach will do everyone good and allow them time to recharge batteries and bank balances before attacking the final two rounds.
The live stream will capture all the qualifying and race action from Strassbessenbach, so be sure acquire your weekend or season pass, with the usual highlights show following on a few days after the weekend – https://page.inplayer.com/fimsidecarcross/
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