It’s only been one week since the chequered flag waved at Canada Heights, and already the competitors have taken to the circuit for round five of the championship. This weekend, however, there has been a slight change with two timed practise groups, as opposed to just one that we have seen so far this season.
Current championship leader by 45 points, Patrick Turrini, set the benchmark in Group A by posting a 1:34.006 which would not be topped. It would however, come under some pressure as two debutants in the world championship completed the top three positions. Karl Robin Rillo, a former red-plate holder in the European championship, was only +0.231 behind the Italian and the end of the session, with American rider Zack Decker in hot pursuit. Only these three riders would go underneath the 1:35 bracket around this Gdansk circuit. Taking the overall victory at Tor Motocrossowy one year ago was Harry Walker, and he rounded off the top five positions behind local man Roman Gwiazda, who was third overall here, 12 months ago.
Group B then took to the circuit for their 20 minutes timed practise session which would see the likes of Kevin Saar, Mark Mclernon, Adam Tucek and Matteo Stiller getting to grips with this 1.67km layout. Mark Mclernon and Tarald Hellebust fought for the top spot in the latter half of the session, but Kevin Saar soon split the Northern Irishman and Norwegian by slotting himself into second place. Mark Mclernon took the overall win here two years ago, so it’s certainly a track he goes very well at, and that was evident as he was the only Group B rider to break the 1:35 barrier. Matteo Stiller missed Kramolin and Canada Heights, but this did not faze him as he took fourth place ahead of Adam Tucek, who makes his first world championship appearance.
Qualifying Race
Patrick Turrini had the first pick of the gate and opted for the hard right-hand side to give him the best launch, but it would be Zack Decker who took the holeshot from the fifth gate-pick. He was momentarily side-by-side with Karl Robin Rillo, but managed to claim the lead of the race, and manage it from that point forward. A first-turn tangle involving at least four riders would hamper the progress of Tarald Hellebust and Ayrton Knowles, but they would both fight back strong.
Rillo would soon be caught and harassed by both Mclernon and Turrini and held on to second position for a handful of laps. Mclernon attempted the move into the right-hander but would run off the track and almost lost third position to Turrini. He recovered, and the charge was put back to square one.
Zack Decker was proving to be an incredible force at the front of the race. His lap times never strayed outside of two-tenths of one another, such was his consistency, and he opened the leading advantage by at least a second with every lap.
Mclernon was back onto the rear axle of Rillo, and he soon prized open the gap he needed to make the overtake. This would catch Rillo by surprise and he went wide, allowing Turrini to sneak through too. The Northern Irishman and Italian duo would then stretch the margin between themselves and Rillo and the fight for second became a two-man party. Rillo then fell into the clutches of Harry Walker, who was making strides, but both Manfred Zienecker and Kevin Saar were homing in on the Briton. This set the scene for a four-way fight for fourth place. Zienecker and Saar would not only pass Walker but would also promote themselves ahead of Rillo by the chequered flag.
Out came the chequered flag and it was the American, Zack Decker, who claimed the spoils as he wheelied his way to victory, nine seconds ahead of Turrini, and Mclernon took third, only a couple of seconds away from Turrini.
Results
1. Zack Decker
2. Patrick Turrini
3. Mark Mclernon
4. Kevin Saar
5. Manfred Zienecker
Last Chance Qualifier
With 35 riders here in Gdansk, and only 30 spots available on the gate, we had the first LCQ session of the season. Kacper Mieszkowski would top the LCQ with a 1:38.939 and put himself in perfect position to fight for points at his home round. Unfortunately, with six transfer spots up for grabs, and 11 riders contesting the LCQ, we had to say goodbye to Karl Koho, Martin Puhalskis, Louie Holt, Giedrius Nicinovas and Edoardo Cazzola.
Results
1. Kacper Mieszkowski
2. Tadeas Rejdik
3. Ayrton Knowles
4. Jiri Brhel
5. Endriko Ennok
6. Lars Holmen
With a full line-up on the gate confirmed for Sunday’s GP races, there’s no doubt that it’s going to be a frantic and action-packed day of racing.
