The 2023 World Sidecarcross Championship took to Talavera in Spain for the first round of the series where British crew Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard rode a stormer for second overall.
Race Report by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC
Race day for round one dawned and realisation kicked in for all the teams and press attending the event. This was the start of a brand-new season with everything and anything possible.
Track and weather conditions were perfect, and the spectators were on their way. A quick tour of the paddock chatting to as many of the teams as possible revealed a real buzz of excitement and expectation.
One or two teams had suffered in qualifying and would not take part. Stuart Brown and Nathan Cooper were victims of ligament damage to the left foot of Stuart, so he was heading for treatment.
Warm up was uneventful, with the fast teams from yesterday again showing their form. Etienne Bax and Ondrej Cermak had fixed their bike from the big crash yesterday and were just feeling their way. This would be the reigning champions’ first real test of the new season, but few doubted their ability to overcome adversity when it mattered.
Race One
The ground shook into the first turn when the gate dropped, with Gert Van Werven/Robbe de Veene grabbing the lead from the Lielbardis twins and Brett Wilkinson. Halfway down the start straight a big pile-up claimed Koen Hermans/Ben van den Bogaart and the Prunier brothers, so they started at the back along with Gary Moulds/Lewis Gray who were also upended into turn one.
A furious battle at the front then ensued, with Etienne Bax/Ondrej Cermak coming through steadily a couple of places behind Marvin Vanluchene and Nicolas Musset. Jason van Daele/Kostas Beleckas were having a fantastic race in fifth place, but Bax was closing them down. Behind this bunch was a string of talent headed by Heinzer/Betschart for Switzerland. Pruniers were out, having never recovered from their start line upset.
The battle at the front was sensational as four outfits fought for the same bit of track. Vanluchene took the lead ten minutes from the two-lap board, relegating the Lielbardis twins to third and Van Werven to second place.
Shortly after, Wilkinson moved third as Bax tried desperately to replace Jason van Daele in fifth.
Just four seconds split the top four crews at this point in the race, giving a top-class display of GP racing. Next time round, Wilkinson had passed the big Dutchman moving into second place as he did so.
With two laps left, Vanluchene was seven seconds clear from Wilkinson with
van Werven a further four back. Bax was assured of sixth, which was a brave and clever result after yesterday’s big crash. At the flag, Vanluchene arrived first, with Wilkinson closer this time around. Gert van Werven clinched third from Lielbardis.
Race One Result
Race Two
Could the action be repeated? Well, when the gate dropped there was absolutely no doubt. A colossal charge to turn one saw Vanluchene/Musset hit the front chased by Hermans/van den Bogaart, Wilkinson and van Werven.
Bax, having inserted a new steel steering head spindle, was down in twelfth but eager to improve. Tim Prummer/Jarno Steegmans were fourth, showing the speed they had in qualifying. Five laps in, and Bax was up to ninth behind the Lielbardis twins and Justin Keuben. He was looking much more confident and was biding his time.
At the front, Hermans was three seconds down on Vanluchene, but enjoying the race after his no score in the opener. The track had cut up in the corners to the point where the riders requested grading before they started.
Van Daele passed Prummer and moved fifth, a remarkable result given he had not had really serious competition or training in the past year.
Behind him, a convoy with Bax at the rear was closing in.
The Champion had Lielbardis in his sights and knew the waiting game would pay off. Given the start to his weekend, he was happy with the first race result and was just looking to consolidate it. With six minutes left, he had made his move and was up to seventh place.
Still a mere two seconds split the top two with Vanluchene looking in control. This would be a great opener for him if he held the place.
Closing stages, with the two-lap board hovering and the stage was set for a grandstand finish. Keuben/Rietman sat fifth and looked good.
Final lap and Vanluchene had it won from Hermans. Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard could be really proud of another podium with third.
Race Two Result
Overall
