Brits shine in Quadcross World Championship opener
By Words: Leen van der Sluis Photos: Bert van der Sluis on 21st Apr 26
The historic first round of the FIM Quadcross World Championship in Castelnau-de-Levis delivered everything the sport could have hoped for - close racing, dramatic battles and a clear statement from the sport’s emerging stars. While Estonia’s Kevin Saar etched his name into the record books as the first-ever Grand Prix winner, the performances of the British riders ensured they remained firmly in the spotlight throughout the weekend.
From the outset, it was clear that this would be a fiercely contested event. Saar set the early benchmark in practice, but he was immediately challenged by Patrick Turrini and Britain’s Harry Walker, the trio quickly establishing themselves as the leading protagonists. Walker’s pace was particularly noteworthy, consistently matching the front-runners and underlining his credentials as a title contender. In qualifying, that same trio broke clear of the pack, delivering an intense battle at the front before Saar eventually forced his way past Walker to take the win, with Turrini slotting into second. Behind them, Northern Ireland’s Mark McLernon rode a strong and intelligent race to secure fifth, while Dafydd Davies fought hard in the midfield to claim eighth.
Sunday’s opening race marked a historic moment as the quads lined up for their first-ever World Championship GP moto. Saar launched perfectly from the gate and immediately controlled the race from the front, but the action behind him was relentless. McLernon quickly established himself in the leading group and rode a measured race to claim an impressive fourth place, keeping his composure under pressure as the race developed. Walker, meanwhile, had work to do after a less-than-ideal start, but the Brit steadily worked his way forward, eventually securing fifth with a determined ride that demonstrated both speed and resilience. Davies also delivered a strong performance, battling throughout the race to finish sixth and underline the strength of the British contingent.
The second race delivered more drama. Turrini grabbed the holeshot and immediately came under pressure, first from Zienecker later from Saar who had passed the German. While behind the Italian and Estonian leaders Zienecker and Walker were locked into a tense fight for the podium positions. Saar steadily closed the gap to Turrini, the two engaging in a breathtaking duel that saw them launch side by side over jumps and push the pace to its absolute limit.
Despite Saar’s relentless pressure, Turrini held firm to take the race win by the narrowest of margins. Just behind, Walker produced one of the standout rides of the weekend. The Brit kept himself within striking distance of the leaders for much of the race and ultimately secured fourth, narrowly missing out on a podium challenge but confirming his consistency at the highest level.
McLernon once again delivered, backing up his earlier performance with another strong fifth place finish, riding a largely solitary but highly effective race to secure valuable points. Davies added further points in a more difficult second moto, fourteenth but ensuring three British riders remained firmly inside the top 10 overall . Oliver Sansom scored two points in this heat while Ayrton Knowles DNFed.
When the points were tallied, Saar claimed the overall victory ahead of Turrini and Zienecker, but the British and Irish presence was impossible to ignore. Walker’s fourth overall placed him right in the early championship fight, while McLernon matched him on points to secure fifth, a testament to his consistency across both motos. Davies completed a strong weekend with ninth overall, highlighting the depth of talent within the British ranks .
As the dust settled on a landmark weekend for the sport, one thing became clear - the Quadcross World Championship has arrived with real intensity. The battles at the front promise an exciting season ahead, and with riders like Walker and McLernon already firmly in the mix, the British and Irish challenge looks set to play a major role in shaping this inaugural championship. Next Grand Prix 2/3 May at Kramolin, Czech Republic.
