The undisputed pace-setter in the 2024 FIM Sand Races World Cup (SRWC), Britain’s Todd Kellett (Drag’on Yamaha) carries an unbeaten record in this year’s competition into round three – Ronde des Sables de Loon Plage – on the northern coast of France this coming weekend (26-27 October).
With the venue an extremely popular practice facility, the twenty-seven-year-old defending champion knows the circuit located between Calais and Dunkirk well and is prepared for a tough two-and-a-half hours at the office on Sunday afternoon.
“The sand at Loon Plage is quite hard,” he said. “It’s not right on the beach and you get a lot of bikes riding over it so it’s compact. This is regarded as one of the hardest races of the season because the track is narrow and in places it gets really, really bumpy so the traffic and visibility is an issue, and you’ve got to be strong as hell because it’s a brutal day. The track is savage and there’s no rest because there’s no straightaway. There’s no time to relax.”
Kellett won last year’s inaugural SRWC with victories at the two opening events – the fabled Enduropale du Touquet Pas-de-Calais in France and Argentina’s Enduro del Verano – before clinching the title with a brave second at the Monte Gordo Sand Experience in Portugal while carrying injuries sustained in a training crash.
This season he has replicated those two initial victories to establish an early lead, but for 2024 the expanded calendar means following Ronde des Sables de Loon Plage there will still be three rounds remaining with the Bibione Sand Storm in Italy on 3 November followed by the Monte Gordo Sand Experience on 24 November and Ronde des Sables Hossegor-Capbreton on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean near Biarritz on 1 December.
“Last year was the first year [of the SRWC] and it was a nice test to be honest. We had the three races, two of which were established and then there was the new race in Portugal. It was a successful season for me and a great way to get the ball rolling and this year we’ve got six races so it’s much more established and something really worth fighting for. I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
During a potential-packed Motocross career, Kellett won a national Arenacross youth title and claimed a podium finish at an EMX2t round as well as winning a round of the British MX2 adult championship. However, it was not until he switched his focus to Sand Racing that all the pieces of the puzzle began to drop into place.
“It’s been an amazing career so far. When my Motocross racing ended I felt like I’d had a bit of fun, but that was that. Then I turned a page and have forged a career out of Sand Racing. I’m really fortunate. I’m quite good at it and also I’ve been really accepted in France. I feel appreciated and I really enjoy it and that makes my life a lot easier.”
Ronde des Sables de Loon Plage, round three of the 2024 FIM Sand Races World Cup, takes place on 26-27 October. Followers of the FIM Sand Races World Cup can stay completely up to date with all the latest news through FIM social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram and via the Sportity app using the password FIMSandRaces.
By using the tag #FIMSandRaces, fans will also be able to interact on social media with riders and like-minded enthusiasts.
To view the full 2024 FIM Sand Races World Cup calendar along with more information click here.
Words by FIM Sand Races World Cup – Images by Frederik Herregods Photography
