The first race day of the 2024 FIM Sidecarcross World Championship season began in glorious weather, with temperatures in the high twenties expected. The day began with the traditional rider’s presentation where the enthusiastic crowd met their idols of the sidecar and quad worlds. The sun was beating down, with many riders seeking shade. This was going to be a hot day. There is no sidecar motocross in Portugal currently, but with this level of excitement about the sport, who knows what the future might hold?
Words by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC – Vandraq and Stijn Vanoverbeke
Warm Up – The early session gave everyone the chance to re-acquaint themselves with the track which had been graded and watered overnight.
Tim Prummer and Rodolphe Lebreton were feeling the effects of their big crash yesterday, with Tim pessimistic about their chances.
Vanluchene/Janssens looked good, as indeed did last year’s runner’s up Koen Hermans/Ben Van Den Bogaart. So, the top two from 2023 seemed to be set for a repeat performance, but only time would tell.
Race One – It had well and truly warmed up as the gate formed. This was the moment the entire winter break had been about. Preparation was done, qualification over and now the real thing had arrived.
From the off, the drag to the first bend saw Marvin Vanluchene and Glenn Janssens grab the lead from Hermans/Van Den Bogaart and two hard charging British outfits. The Lielbardis twins were also on their tails, and Dan Foden/Ryan Humphrey and the Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard bike were neck and neck. Prummer/Lebreton were also in the mix.
Hermans gave chase, and then astonishingly on lap two, his gremlins struck again, and they were sidelined.
This left the coast clear for Daniel Lielbardis to chase the champions down. This they did, going ahead at two-thirds distance. At the same time, Wilkinson was promoted to third ahead of Foden/Humphrey as the Leferink brothers and the French Pruniers closed in. Both these sets of siblings made real progress, picking off teams as they made their way through. Tim Prummer dropped back steadily, but tenaciously nursed himself and his hurt passenger to meaningful points finish.
Koen Hermans had restarted and fought from virtually last place to claim an amazing seventh at the flag. It was a topsy-turvy race in extreme heat, with everyone feeling the pace.
The Lielbardis boys took their first GP race win, with plenty of signs for things to come. Fourth place was claimed by the Prunier brothers after a sensational recovery throughout. Vanluchene’s crown had slipped, but only slightly.
Result 1 Result
Race Two – It was even hotter at four in the afternoon when this one got underway. The Quads had completed their third race, so the track was in a “well-used” state, but firm and fast.
The gate dropped and once again the drag to turn one was tight and eventful. Vanluchene/Janssens got the drop, but chased hard by Hermans, who this time was not only to survive, but as events turned out, do much, much better than he could possibly have expected. The Lielbardis brothers put Hermans under pressure all race-long, with Wilkinson/Millard slotting into a fine fourth place they were to hold until events gave them a present.
There were strong performances all down the field, among them the Prunier brothers once again. They battled through from yet another mediocre start to eventually finish behind Wilkinson. Tim Prummer/Rodolphe Lebreton battled gamely in a top ten place and gritted their teeth to the end.
Dan Foden/Ryan Humphrey were another strong team, gaining two solid results, and winding up fifth in this one to match their earlier score.
But the crux of all this is that with two laps remaining, Vanluchene was out with a mechanical breakdown, elevating every single team up one place. The effect of this cannot be overstated. The Lielbardis boys head to Heerde with the red plate, and frankly, no-one could have foreseen this. The defending champion is on the back foot after round one, Koen Hermans has been handed a lifeline, and Brett Wilkinson is over the moon.
What more can we say, and it was all on live stream!!
Result 2 Result
Overall GP Result
Championship standings
This was a great way to catapult us into a brand-new season, with points on the board for most of the big hitters. Sadly, one of those was not Justin Keuben, who now has a period of recovery before we see his smile around the paddock again. All of us here wish him the very best in that process and send our very best thoughts.
