Report: Sidecarcross GP 11 Roggenburg – Switzerland

By Tracy Thacker on 26th Aug 19

Motocross

The Sidecarcross World Championship again delivered a dramatic weekend of racing, this time at the fantastic natural Roggenburg track in Switzerland for GP11.

Current world champions Marvin Vanluchene and Ben van den Bogaart currently in second place in the standings were looking to make up ground on red plate holders Etienne Bax and Kaspars Stupelis.

Qualifying races were brilliant for the British teams with six making it through. On Sunday, the weather was extremely hot again which would make for tough conditions for all the teams.

(Image: Tracy Thacker)

The Dutch and Belgian pairing of Julian Veldman /Glenn Janssens just held the advantage over Arne Dierckens /Robbie Bax into the first few bends of the opening race and then Dierckens /Bax made their move into the lead.

They were holding back the chasing teams until disaster struck when a problem with the front wheel caused the pair to crash badly. Dierckens hurt his back and passenger Bax damaged his shoulder.

So now the battle was on for first place with Vanluchene /Van den Bogaart moving ahead, Bax /Stupelis stayed close with Veldman /Janssens holding third until they also suffered problems and dropped out of the top 10. This left Stuart Brown /Josh Chamberlain in third with Koen Hermans /Nicolas Musset on their tail.

(Image: Tracy Thacker)

But Bax /Stupelis fought hard to take the lead and went on to take a great win. Behind was an electric contest for second with Hermans /Musset closing the gap on Vanluchene /Van Den Bogaart before blasting ahead.

Hermans /Musset would chase Bax /Stupelis but damage to the rear brake halted their charge and Vanluchene /Van Den Bogaart took advantage and moved back into second.

Back in fourth, Brown /Chamberlain could see Hermans /Musset were struggling and tried hard to catch them but Hermans /Musset did enough to hold them off. Jake Brown /Joe Millard were close behind in fifth with Brett Wilkinson /Ryan Humphrey recovering well from a slow start to take sixth.

With three brilliant British teams together, it felt like a British championship.

The new pairing of Moulds /Anthony had a midfield start but fought hard and were about to take a top 10 place when they picked up a rear shock problem. They put in a great effort and were able to hang on to deliver an excellent 14th place, just ahead of George Kinge /Lewis Gray.

(Image: Tracy Thacker)

Dierckens /Bax had an early finish to their weekend after failing to get clearance from the medics to compete in the second race.

The gate dropped on race two and this time it was Brown /Millard who took the holeshot but almost immediately were under pressure. And as they powered up the steep rear hill Bax /Stupelis were already ahead.

The pair wouldn't look back going on to take their second win of the day.

Hermans /Musset were on top form and blasted into second with Brown /Chamberlain holding third. Brown /Millard held fourth but were under pressure from Vanluchene /Van Den Bogaart who eventually found their way past to take fourth.

(Image: Tracy Thacker)

Vanluchene /Van Den Bogaart continued to race hard and they challenged Brown /Chamberlain but just couldnt find a way past.

In the final few laps, Kert Varik /Lauris Daiders moved into fifth leading Brown /Millard who took a great sixth place.

Behind there was drama with the other British teams. Kinge /Gray crashed badly on lap one fortunately, both did walk away but it was a massive tumble and the pair were very shaken up.

While Wilkinson /Humphrey stalled with clutch problems, leaving the pair briefly stranded on the gate.

(Image: Tracy Thacker)

Wilkinson /Humphrey worked hard to recover from their less-than-desirable start and within a few laps had ridden themselves into a midfield position. They continued to push and scythed through the field to take an amazing eighth place.

Moulds /Anthony lined up behind Wilkinson /Humphrey so were initially delayed but they had a safe race just outside the top 10.

(Image: Tracy Thacker)

Dan Foden /Roy Bijenhof also had a back-row start and were outside the points at the start but persevered, working hard throughout to get into a point-scoring position.

Bax /Stupelis continue to hold the series lead and now have a substantial 71 point advantage over their rivals Vanluchene /Van Den Bogaart in second.

(Image: Tracy Thacker)

Hermans /Musset started the day on exactly the same points as Dierckens /Bax, but now hold a 42 point advantage. Dierckens /Bax will

need to work hard over the last three rounds to fight for the 'bronze' place.

There are now two British teams in the top 10 with Brown /Chamberlain holding fifth just 10 points off fourth, Brown /Millard are now 10th. There are two more holding top-20 places with Kinge /Gray in 15th and Wilkinson /Humphrey now 20th.

Next week the championship moves to the Gooik track in Belgium, with the following two events on consecutive weekends after that, the end of the season will be very busy.

We will keep you updated on all the action.

Sidecarcross Results Roggenburg, Switzerland

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