Only 6 days after the chequered flag waved for Turrini in Kramolin, the FIM World Quadcross paddock took to the circuit in Kleinhau for the pre-qualifying event, which would decipher who would take to the gate and, more importantly, in which order.
Home-hero Manfred Zienecker would post the quickest lap time of the session with his twelfth and final lap of the session, meaning he will take the first pick of the gate for the first time this season. Red-plate holder Patrick Turrini was on course for the lead gate pick but, due to Manfred’s last lap efforts, he would claim second gate-pick ahead of Mike van Grinsven riding the Honda. Second and third in the world standings, Kevin Saar and Harry Walker, could only do enough to place fourth and seventh, with Kevin completing twelve laps and Harry completing ten.
All eyes are now firmly focussed on the gate-drop for the qualifying race this afternoon, with world championship points on offer.
Results
1. Manfred Zienecker
2. Patrick Turrini
3. Mike van Grinsven
4. Kevin Saar
5. Mark Mclernon
Qualifying Race
From the gate, it was Dafydd Davies who made the best launch to claim the holeshot ahead of Sylvain Petit who, yet again, proved that he can get a great start no matter where he is on the gate. The top-three in the championship, Turrini, Saar and Walker, had some work to do, and it was Saar who decided to try and get to the front as soon as possible.
In a rare error, Saar would try and challenge Davies for the lead and then get crossed up, causing him to hit the deck and his Yamaha to tumble endlessly down the hill. Thankfully, he would get back onto his feet quickly, but he was out of the race.
Zienecker was on a charge and made the move on Davies to claim the lead of the race, which he held for a couple of laps. Davies, despite a brilliant start, would soon be forced to submit to the pressure from Petit, van Grinsven and Turrini. He dropped to fourth, but this would prove to be a temporary state of play for the Frenchman, as he carved his way back into second position, with van Grinsven and Turrini left with all the hard work to do again.
Only a couple of laps later, and Turrini muscled back into second position and quickly closed the gap to Zienecker. Turrini then took the lead away from Zienecker, who did not complete the eighth lap, thus promoting everybody behind him by one position.
In the meantime, Davies had fallen into the clutches of Mark Mclernon who, on the final lap, climbed up one more position ahead of the Welshman to complete the top five. Whilst this was happening, van Grinsven slithered his way into second position ahead of Petit, but nothing was going to stop Turrini from victory as he romped to victory by over five seconds.
Results
1. Patrick Turrini
2. Mike van Grinsven
3. Sylvain Petit
4. Harry Walker
5. Mark Mclernon
All eyes are now firmly focussed on tomorrow’s races, where big points are on offer and both Zienecker and Saar will certainly be looking to make amends after today’s performance.
By Bradley Hix
