Title stress strikes in Westfalenhallen!
The stress of the 'redplate' grabbed Cole Martinez and Tom Koch's neck today during the final of the ADAC SX Cup in Dortmund. In the SX1 class, the American came to the Westfalenhallen with a 15-point lead, but on Saturday he failed to qualify for the final. A ninth place was enough for fellow countryman Tyler Bowers to win the title, the Pfeil Kawasaki rider finished second behind Greg Aranda. In the SX2 class, Koch came into this weekend with a 50-point lead. On Friday he did not reach the final and Julien Lebeau managed to take the day's victory. The riders started the last day exactly at the same time, Lebeau came second in the final behind compatriot Thomas Do. That unexpectedly earned the Team Diga Procross rider the title. On Saturday, Nolan Cordens also showed up strongly, the 19-year-old rider finished sixth in the SX2 final.
SX1
During the last chance, the tension was palpable in the stadium. Martinez had to finish in the top two to get into the final and that's exactly where things went wrong. The entire match over just eight laps he tries to outwit Matt Bayliss but without success! His rival Bowers must finish in the top nine to win the title. In the final, Charles Lefrancois makes the best start ahead of compatriots Valentin Teillet and Aranda. The former champion quickly passed Teillet again and in the second laps the lead was displaced with a neat 'block pass'. Bowers started the final sixth but is already in second place after seven laps. He comes closer to Aranda little by little, but he does not panic and continues to set the pace. Bowers chooses second place and therefore also the title. Teillet is very fast for one lap, but 20 laps in a row is a different story and he ends up third at a safe distance ahead of fellow countrymen Cedric Soubeyras and Lefrancios.
SX2
With the same number of points, Koch and Lebeau must jointly determine who will win the title. Clement Braitte takes the best start ahead of Do and Koch, but the Sarholz rider quickly manages to get Do behind him. The Frenchman also loses a place to Lebeau and after the finish jump he crashes the Husqvarna into the side of his rival. Koch falls while Lebeau can then start the match. Do takes back second place and is able to take the lead moments later. Then the Sturm Racing driver doesn't look back and he wins. Lebeau still looks for the right pace in the initial phase of the race and he comes second, which is enough for the title. Calvin Fonvieille completes the podium while Cordens manages to send his Becker-KTM to an impressive sixth place! Koch has to settle for a consolation prize but is the first to congratulate Lebeau!
Results ADAC SX Cup #6; Dortmund, Germany:
SX1
1 Gregory Aranda F Kawasaki
2 Tyler Bowers USA Kawasaki
3 Valentin Teillet F KTM
4 Cedric Souberyas F Suzuki
5 Charles Lefrancois F Suzuki
6 Dominique Thury D Husqvarna
7 Fabien Izoird F Kawasaki
8 Adrien Escoffier F Honda
9 Matthew Bayliss GB Honda
10 Nick Schmidt USA Suzuki
11 Jacob Williamson USA Suzuki
12 Florent Richier F Honda
Final score SX1:
1 Tyler Bowers USA Kawasaki 116
2 Charles Lefrancois F Suzuki 107
3 Cole Martinez USA Suzuki 106
4 Dominique Thury D Husqvarna 86
5 Valentin Teillet F KTM 80
SX2
1 Thomas Do F Suzuki
2 Julien Lebeau F Husqvarna
3 Calvin Fonvieille F Kawasaki
4 Clement Braitte F Kawasaki
5 Diogo Garca By Suzuki
6 Nolan Cordens B KTM
Final score SX2:
1 Julien Lebeau F Husqvarna 114
2 Tom Koch D KTM 104
3 Thomas Do F Suzuki 86
4 Diogo Garca By Suzuki 77
5 Anthony Bourdon F Husqvarna 67
12 Colan Cordens B KTM 53
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: #SXDortmund
Also to read
VIDEO: Highlights MXGP Galicia 2024
After the mud of Agueda, the FIM MXGP-MX2 World Championship continued on Jorge Prado's home circuit. The local hero wins and takes the lead...Perfect Prado takes back the lead
In his hometown, Jorge Prado let the crowd enjoy a perfect match. The Spaniard won both heats on Sunday afternoon at the Lugo circuit. Jeffrey Herlings (4-2) climbs…Lucas Coenen wins his first of the year
Lucas Coenen booked his first Grand Prix victory of this season in Lugo. The Husqvarna rider won with a fourth and first place. Andrea Adamo (1-4) and Liam Everts (3-2)…Wilkinson takes the 2nd heat in Heerde but Lielbardis wins the Grand Prix!
The British Wilkinson/Millard have won the second heat of the Dutch Grand Prix sidecar cross. However, we saw other teams on the overall podium. The Dutch Hermans/Van den Bogaart came third, ...
Your reactions