Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Wilkinson & Millard have eyes on another WSC podium in Germany! 2023 FIM World Sidecarcross Championship Round 9 – Preview

Just fifty kilometres south-east of Frankfurt lies the spectacular Motocross track of Strassbessenbach, scene of many world-class encounters over the years and this weekend the host of round 9 of the 2023 FIM World Sidecarcross Championship. Etienne Bax, with Kaspars Stupelis alongside, took double victory in 2019 and he will be aiming for nothing less this time around.

Preview by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC

The 2023 season got off to a rocky start for the Dutch/Czech defending champions, and for a moment, Bax’s shoulders slumped, with him looking demoralised. But like the true professional he is, he found the mental strength in his approach, making the technical changes needed to help him once again ride like a man inspired.

The return to Strassbessenbach signals the end of sandy going for the teams, with a series of hard-pack or hillside tracks to the season’s end.

Bax and Ondrej Cermak have closed to within twenty-five points of Marvin Vanluchene and Nicolas Musset and are in the ascendancy after a stunning double in Lommel. Vanluchene and Musset have been both fast and consistent, and it is that reliability which has kept them on top after such strong rides in the opening two GP’s. You cannot help but feel there is more in reserve from this pair if things do get tough. The former champions are firmly focussed on the title and have held the red plate throughout. They will not let that go easily.

Conversely, Koen Hermans and Ben Van Den Bogaart’s title challenge suffered a set-back in Belgium with zero points in race one, resulting in a twenty-seven-point deficit to Bax. If they do aspire to steal that red plate at any point, the challenge must start very soon, if not in Germany.

In fourth place after heroics in Belgium, sit Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard, fifteen points ahead of Justin Keuben and Dion Rietman. The British crew are now established at the sharp end of the table despite a couple of mechanical setbacks and one zero score along the way in Heerde.

This season has seen some great battles and new names coming to the fore.

The Lielbardis twins will have turned seventeen by the time they get to Germany and are a mere three points behind Belgian Davy Sanders, who with this French passenger Luc Rostingt, has done a great job this year.

Fast starting Tim Prummer and Jarno Steegmans are eighth and will be keen to show what they can do in front of Prummer’s home fans.

Steegmans picked up an injury in Lommel but will be fit and well for Germany.

Strassbessenbach is the first of three more rounds back-to-back as Ireland and England await, closing off the month of July.

Standings after 8 rounds

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn