The sidecar crossers slowly wake up from their hibernation.
Many teams have now completed the first meters of this season, with some even training in 'competition' mode last weekend. In Eersel they dared again to organize a sidecar cross season opener. Despite the wet weather of recent weeks, the track was in perfect condition, but for many teams this was no reason to travel to Eersel. A total of less than 30 sidecars showed up, which put the organization of this event in a disadvantage. However, the six registered teams present at the Inters made it a beautiful spectacle. They were not just the first and best there in Eersel!
The entire day podium of the final GP in 2017 in Markelo was behind the starting gate. Of these three, the new combination of Julian Veldman and Siebe van der Putten took the initiative and led the first heat in Eersel for a long time until Willemsen/Bax and Bax/Stupelis passed them by. Willemsen/Bax won the first heat with the golden World Cup combination of 2015, Bax/Stupelis, behind them and Veldman/Van der Putten then finished third.
The second heat was less successful for Willemsen/Bax, who were actually only back on the sidecar for the first time. A major crash caused them to finish 'only' fourth. Fortunately, there was nothing physically wrong with either Daniël Willemsen or Robbie Bax. Team Veldman dropped out of this heat, so the strong acting Justin Keuben/Dion Rietman deserved the 2nde The German-speaking Belgian Andreas Closhe took a place at the finish with the Dutchman Han van Hal in the box.
The third round at the inters had the same result as the first and so Bax/Stupelis took the day's victory ahead of Willemsen/Bax who left a strong impression and went home satisfied. Keuben/Rietman ultimately finished third in the day's results, partly due to their nice second place in the second heat.
Anyone who thinks that the teams in Eersel are the only sidecars that have already woken up a bit is wrong. The Flemish top teams may not have been in Eersel, but they are also quietly preparing for their season. The ever-likable Davy Sanders and his German baking player Haller have already driven the first meters in Londinieres, France and they are looking forward to the 2018 season with confidence. The same also applies to Arne Dierckens, who will once again be at the gate together with the French top baking artist Luc Rostingt in 2018. Marvin Vanluchene, together with his new partner Ben van den Boogaart, went to Grevenboich, Germany last weekend to quietly resume training after having previously completed an internship on a hard surface in Londinieres.
There is also news to report from across the border, mainly from England. This year, Stuart Brown/Joe Miljard will choose the AMS-tuned Husqvarna over the two-stroke Zabel that they competed in the World Cup for years.
For the other top combination from England, Wilkinson/Chamberlain, preparation for the 2018 season started on a low note. The day after presenting the beautiful black-pink sidecar combination for 2018, they suffered a serious crash during training in France. The machine did not do what it was supposed to do for a moment and like two helpless rodeo cowboys, Wilkinson and Chamberlain were thrown hard from the sidecar. This resulted in strained shoulder ligaments for baking player Dan Chamberlain and another broken collarbone for rider Brett Wilkinson. The day after this crash, Wilkinson had surgery in Flanders and despite the fact that there was still a plate in the shoulder from a previous injury in 2017, everything was so successful that a smiling Wilkinson announced that he was ready for the start of the 2018 season. .
As soon as there is any important news to report regarding three-wheelers at home and abroad in the remaining four weeks until the first KNMV ONK Masters of Sidecarcross in Lochem, MXMag will keep you informed!
Text: Emil Bilars
Photo: Emil Bilars
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