Race day 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.
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.
Top 10
1/ Marvin Vanluchene/Nicolas Musset
2/ Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard
3/ Gert van Werven/Robbe de Veene
4/ Daniel/Bruno Lielbardis
5/ Jason van Daele/Kostas Beleckas
6/ Etienne Bax/Ondrej Cermak
7/ Justin Keuben/Dion Rietman
8/ Davy Sanders/Luc Rostingt
9/ Tim Prummer/Jarno Steegmans
10/ Marco Heinzer/Martin Betschart
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.
Result
1/ Vanluchene/Musset
2/ Hermans/van den Bogaart
3/ Wilkinson/Millard,
4/ van Werven/de Veene
5/ Keuben/Rietman
6/ Bax/Cermak,
7/ van Daele/Beleckas
8/ Prummer/Steegmans
9/ Sanders/Rostingt,
10/ Heinzer/Betschart
11/ Leferink/Leferink
12/ Chanteloup/Chopin,
13/ Moulds/Lewis
14/ Gordeev/van de Wiel
15/ Devoldre/Debruyne
FIM Sidecar Motocross