Hermans/ Van den Bogaart lead the way as the FIM Sidecarcross World Championship gets underway in Kramolin
By Words: Chris Helm Photos: Leen van der Sluis on 12th May 25
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Koen Hermans/ Ben van den Bogaart will wear the red plate at the British round of the 2025 FIM Sidecarcross World Championship on May 24/25 after taking a stunning win in Kramolin in the Czech Republic – the first round of the nine-round series. 38 teams representing 10 different nations took part with a strong contingent from Great Britain in the mix.
In the quali races on Saturday, the drama started before the teams even came to the line when Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard realised that their rear shock absorber was leaking oil. Having decided to ride anyway, they were rewarded with a third place in the A Group race behind current champion Marvin Vanluchene who is reunited with passenger Nicolas Musset for the ’25 season and the Prunier brothers Killian and Evan. Stuart Brown/ Scott Grahame came sixth and Jake Brown/ Lars de Laat eighth.
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In the B group Hermans/ Van den Bogaart took the win from the Lielbardis brothers Daniels and Bruno, while Michael Hodges / Ryan Henderson qualified in eighth place.
When the riders came to the line for the opening moto on Sunday, weather conditions were nearly perfect with sunny intervals and the temperature in the high teens. The track had been well watered, and dust would not be a problem.
The long climb uphill from the gate was headed by Tim Prummer/ Jarno Steegmans from Hermans/ Van den Bogaart. In turn two Brown/ Grahame got caught up on the earth bank and stopped they were last but one on the track when they got away. At the front Prummer/ Steegmans led the way from Hermans/ Van den Bogaart with the Prunier brothers in third place. Wilkinson/ Millard made a clean start and were running inside the top 10.
On lap two on the long downhill section, Hermans/ Van den Bogaart made their move taking Prummer/ Steegmans comfortably before the left-hander at the bottom. Following a first corner incident the Prunier brothers were catching the leaders and after 10 minutes they were in second place. By half distance Hermans/ Van den Bogaart led from the Pruniers, Prummer/ Steegmans and defending champion Vanluchene with Musset fourth.
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The leading quartet stayed in these positions to the end with Wilkinson/Millard finishing eighth and Brown/ Grahame 13th having fought their way through the park. Hodges/ Henderson, meanwhile, were 15th.
When the gate dropped for the second leg, the leaders into turn one were the Austrian team of Benny Weiss / Patrick Schneider ahead of Prummer/ Steegmans, Vanluchene/ Musset with Wilkinson/ Millard in fourth. Brown/ Grahame got a clean start this time and were in 10th. By lap two Vanluchene/ Musset were up to second place and further back Wilkinson/ Millard were now coming under pressure from Hermans/ Van den Bogaart.
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Weiss and Schneider were comfortable in the lead but lap by lap Vanluchene/ Musset were closing him down. On lap four Hermans/ Van den Bogaart got past Wilkinson/ Millard but on the next lap Koen dislodged the killswitch and lost the position to the Brits.
By half distance Vanluchene/ Musset were right in the wheel tracks of the Austrians but that was as close as it got. In the following few laps Hermans/ Van den Bogaart worked their way through the field and moved up into second place whilst Wilkinson/ Millard passed Prummer/ Steegmans to take fifth.
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At the flag Weiss/ Schneider took the win, their first ever, with Hermans/ Van den Bogaart second and Vanluchene/ Musset third. Further back Brown/ Grahame placed 10th, Hodges/ Henderson 12th and Brown/ De Laat 16th to put world championship points on the board.
The series now heads to a refreshed Foxhill near Swindon in Wiltshire on the weekend of May 24/25. Tickets are available here
