Foden and Weinmann dominate German GP
By Words: Chris Helm Photos: Leen van der Sluis on 12th May 26
The third round of the FIM World Sidecarcross Championship was held at Kleinhau in Germany and what a weekend it turned out to be for the eight British teams who entered. Not only did all eight qualify, which was a first, but Dan Foden and his German passenger Noah Weinmann took the overall win on the day with a maximum 50-point haul.
When the riders came to the line for the first Quali race on Saturday people might have wondered whether they were in Rudersberg rather than Kleinhau as the same music was played before the start and there were far more left-handed outfits present than at most GPs – Rudersberg has traditionally favoured left-handers.
The blast down to turn one was led by the Prunier brothers – Killian and Evan – with Foden/ Weinmann just in second ahead of Marvin Vanluchene/ Ben van den Bogaart. Within one lap Vanluchene/ Van den Bogaart were past Foden/ Weinmann and that’s how it finished with the Pruniers untroubled at the front. The Lielbardis twins – Daniels and Bruno – came home in fourth.
The Group B race was a British bonanza with seven teams on the line. Within the first 50 metres after the gate dropped, Jack Rogers/ Ryan Beavis were flipped over by the outfit alongside them and their race was over. Mike Hodges/ Ryan Henderson got the holeshot but were very quickly passed by local rider Tim Prummer and his Austrian passenger Patrick Schneider.
Brett Wilkinson/ Joe Millard were scrapping for third place with defending champions Koen Hermans/ Dion Rietman. Hodges/ Henderson stayed near the front for the first few laps but then dropped back finally finishing seventh. Prummer/ Schneider took the win from Wilkinson/ Millard with Hermans/ Rietman third. George Kinge/ Liam Hodges finished ninth and Tony Grahame/ Jak Watson 11th. Luke Banks/ Chris Pannell didn’t quite make the cut and were destined for the last chance as well as Liam Mudie/ Harley Mudie and Rogers/ Beavis.
All three Brits made it through the last chance which this year now has four reserves rather than the previous number of two. Although this gives two more teams the chance to race the last two don’t get the travel indemnity. Why?!
The first of the two GP races on Sunday was one of the most exciting seen for a long time. The holeshot was taken by Hodges/ Henderson with Wilkinson/ Millard second and Foden/ Weinmann third, just ahead of Vanluchene/ Van den Bogaart. In that opening lap Vanluchene/ Van den Bogaart passed Foden/ Weinmann and then Foden/Weinmann fought back and then also passed Wilkinson/ Millard to take the lead. Hodges/ Henderson remained with the leading group but on lap two tipped over and dropped right down the order.
Out front, Foden/ Weinmann were under pressure from the Belgian/ Dutch team but kept their concentration and held the lead. By the fourth lap, Wilkinson/ Millard were in trouble and eventually pulled out. On lap six Vanluchene/ Van den Bogaart took the lead while the Prunier brothers were fighting for third place with Hermans/ Rietman.
With three laps to go, Foden/ Weinmann retook the lead and at the same time the Pruniers overtook Hermans/ Rietman who also lost out to Prummer/ Schneider. Kinge/ Hodges finished in 13th, and Hodges/ Henderson just finished in the points in 20th.
Race two was not quite so exciting with Foden/ Weinmann taking the lead into turn one and never looking back. The Pruniers were second, Vanluchene/ Van den Bogaart third and Hodges/ Henderson with another fast start in fourth. Wilkinson/ Millard soon past Hodges/ Henderson and settled in behind Vanluchene/ Van den Bogaart.
At the front, Foden kept it together despite extreme pressure from the Pruniers and went on to win with Vanluchene/ Van den Bogaart finishing third just ahead of Wilkinson/ Millard. Further down Hodges/ Henderson finished 10th and Kinge/ Hodges 19th.
The Pruniers now lead the championship on 149 points – 18 points ahead of Vanluchene/ Van den Bogaart. Foden/ Weinmann are now up to fourth with Wilkinson Millard fifth.
The next round of the series is at Canada Heights in Kent on May 30/31. Make sure you’re there to catch the action and support the British crews.
