Warm-up
Only 19 of the 24 riders would head out onto the circuit for the pre-race warm up session, with Turrini being one of the riders who decided to conserve his energy for the two GP races. Karl Robin Rillo would stamp his name onto the top of the timesheets, lapping +1.752 quicker then Karlis Neija and Mark Mclernon. Home-hero Laurynas Mikalauskas completed the session in sixth positions, whilst red-plate holder Kevin Saar finished 17th
Race 1
The inner-most left gates were clearly the favourable option, as Saar lined up with Mclernon and Turrini to his right-hand side, but it would be Mclernon who stormed into the lead to take the holeshot ahead of Rillo and Mikalauskas. Saar would quickly find his way into third position, and it was the Estonian duo of Rillo and Saar who started to mount the pressure onto Mclernon.
In a bold move, Rillo went for the inside line on Mclernon but contact was made, and Mclernon was thrown from his Yamaha and out of the race lead. After losing 26 seconds, he would have to work hard to gain more positions, especially when you take into consideration the fact that Turrini was riding well and challenging for third position.
Tadeas Rejdik, Laurynas Mikalauskas, Patrick Turrini and Rasmus Sona were all fighting for third position and, as Turrini went side-by-side with Rejdik to challenge for the podium, they too would make contact, with both the Czech and Italian riders being thrown from their machines. Turrini took a couple of laps to catch his breath and would eventually remount but would not complete his seventh lap to eventually be credited with 20th position, claiming one point.
With Saar extending his race lead, and Rillo holding a secure second-position, all eyes were set on the battle for third place. Jordi Niclas Gieler’s advantage over Karlis Neija had been reduced significantly, and the Latvian would make the pass to put himself into the podium places. A small mistake from Karlis would result in him parting company with the #69 Husqvarna, allowing Gieler to reinstate himself into third. Neija would rejoin but would not resume his previous pace to be credited with 19th position.
The chequered flag went out and once again, it was Saar to claim the victory and put one hand on the world championship title. Rillo and Gieler would complete the podium, with Matteo Stiller claiming a season-best fourth position, and Mclernon completing the top five.
Results
1. Kevin Saar
2. Karl Robin Rillo
3. Jordi Niclas Gieler
4. Matteo Stiller
5. Mark Mclernon
Race 2
After their incidents in race one, Patrick Turrini and Karlis Neija opted to sit out of race two to ensure that they do no further damage, and to recover before the final round of the championship in six weeks’ time.
Rillo launched into the race lead ahead of Sylvain Petit, with Kevin Saar and Mark Mclernon jockeying for third place. Saar would come out on top, and soon started to mount the pressure onto Sylvain Petit, who then had the difficult task of defending third position from Mark Mclernon. With Jordi Niclas Gieler not making a great start, Mclernon knew that a strong finish in this second race could well be enough to see him claim an overall GP podium.
Rillo and Saar found their groove and opened an incredible margin over their rivals. Saar kept a very close eye on his younger countryman, looking for any opportunity to put himself at the head of the race. Both riders each had their own incentive to claim the honours in race two – Rillo, to make it three GP wins on the bounce, and Saar to go 1-1 for the title. The battle commenced, and Saar read the situation perfectly to go through on Rillo – a move that would not be challenged
Whilst this was happening, another battle was starting to brew inside the top eight, with Eijk, Petit, Stiller, Mikalauskas and Gieler all fighting for fourth position. Eijk held it briefly, but Gieler was on a charge and would make unintentional contact with Mikalauskas to claim fifth position, whilst Mikalauskas was left picking himself up off the floor, to rejoin in 11th.
With Mclernon in third and Gieler in fifth, this would result in Mclernon stepping onto the overall podium for the second week in succession, but Gieler had other ideas and soon promoted himself to fourth place, to then put himself onto the overall podium.
Into the final turn and the chequered flag flew high for the arrival of 26-year-old, Kevin Saar, to claim a 1-1 finish for the first time this season, and to become the 2026 FIM Quadcross World Champion. Karl Robin Rillo came across the line +16.652 seconds afterwards, for a 2-2 finish, and Mclernon would complete the podium. Despite his best effort, a fourth place in race two for Gieler would be enough for the German to jump onto the overall podium.
Results
1. Kevin Saar
2. Karl Robin Rillo
3. Mark Mclernon
4. Jordi Niclas Gieler
5. Delano Eijk
Overall Results
1. Kevin Saar – 50
2. Karl Robin RIllo – 44
3. Jordi NIclas Gieler – 38
4. Mark Mclernon – 36
5. Matteo Stiller – 33
Championship Standings
1. Kevin Saar – 371
2. Mark Mclernon – 303
3. Patrick Turrini – 272
4. Manfred Zienecker – 225
5. Sylvain Petit – 219
There’s one more round to go in the 2026 season and, despite the championship being wrapped up by Kevin Saar, there is still plenty of action to keep us entertained in at the final round in Varsseveld. Keep up to speed with all the latest news on www.fimquadcross.com, and we will see you in the Netherlands, on www.fim-moto.tv.
By Bradley Hix
