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
