As widely predicted, Mathieu Trésarrieu is the 2022 FIM Long Track World Champion after securing his title by reaching the final on the dirt track in Vechta on Saturday. Although he was not the winner of today’s final, he had entered the meeting with a comfortable lead over his nearest rivals and his 19 championship points give him an unbeatable lead going into Final 6 later this month.
Report by the FIM – Images courtesy of Jesper Veldhuizen
On top of the podium here for the first time in his career was young Brit Zach Wajtknecht who followed his second place in Morizes with a fine win over 2017 champion Trésarrieu in the final ahead of Lukas Fienhage and Chris Harris. He had been joint top scorer in the qualifying races and set the fastest time of the meeting as late as Heat 11. This win lifts him into third place in the intermediate classification with a good chance of a medal. He also takes home the Vechta ADAC Golden Helmet to add to his growing trophy collection.
2020 world champion Fienhage, on his local track, continued his improved form although he had to fight through the Last Chance Final to claim his place in the last race. Standing with equal points with Wajtknecht he too has a medal position in his sights.
Defending champion Romano Hummel saw his hopes dashed by a fall in his first ride which resulted in a trip to the local hospital, and he took no further part in the meeting. His fellow Dutchman Theo Pijper maintained his consistent scoring with another ten points to take him into 5th place but there is 14-point gap between him and the leading pack.
Results
Standings after Final 5 are:
1 Mathieu Trésarrieu (France) 97 points (Champion)
2 Chris Harris (Great Britain) 72
3 Zach Wajtknecht (Great Britain) 67
4 Lukas Fienhage (Germany) 67
5 Theo Pijper (Netherlands) 53
6 Romano Hummel (Netherlands) 52
7 Stanislaw Burza (Poland) 40
8 Jacob Bukhave (Denmark) 38
The season is not completed yet and the final positions will be decided in Roden on 25th September, but Trésarrieu can now relax and celebrate knowing that the world title is his once again.
