Fors, Cambré and Brackman win 24 seconds from La Chinelle!
The official Husqvarna Belgium teams awarded the 40th edition of the 12 hours of La Chinelle definitely adds color. The fast and experienced trio Kevin Fors-Wietse Brackman-Jilani Cambré came back from afar to pilot their 2020 Husqvarna FE450 to a brilliant second place, less than 25 seconds behind the winners Magain, Dewulf, Grobben. Husqvarna managed to take a second podium place after an eventful race for Jérome Martiny, Matthew Vanoevelen and Erik Willems.
At exactly 12 o'clock on Saturday night, the 64 participating teams took the traditional Le Mans start in Franchimont-Philippeville. For opening driver Cambré and his teammates, that was the start of an exciting catch-up race. From in 30th position, Jilani worked his way up to eighth place at the end of the opening round.
A sublime Fors, four-time winner in La Chinelle, led his team. The experienced Liège resident fought the Husky #22 back into the running during the night. Brackman was clearly better during the day and put pressure on leader Grobben, but he did not bow. Cambré's last offensive was also parried by home rider Magain.
After a tumultuous race, the second official Husqvarna formation finished third, two laps behind the winners. Strongman Jérome Martiny led the dance in the beginning, while Willems and Vanoevelen also clocked fast times. This confirmed the Husky selection of team manager Wim Vanderheyden also their role as candidate winners.
However, a lot of valuable time was lost due to a heavy fall by Willems. To make matters worse, the engine suffered damage, forcing Erik to do some tinkering. Team #21 was knocked back to fifth place. Although Willems could no longer ride due to a muscle tear, Martiny and Vanoevelen finished the race with two.
Jilani Cambre: “We did our best, but Magain was just a little bit stronger. Kevin (Fors) also rode a hell of a race. In my last turn I went all out. It was all or nothing! I almost fell twice, but unfortunately it didn't work out in the end. Too bad, but La Chinelle remains a surprising and tough match. Every time there are unexpected events.”
Wietse Brackman: “Of course I am disappointed. On the other hand, I am also satisfied, we have not had much luck this year. If you take into account that bad start, two wheel changes and still come so close to victory... That's a shame! Maybe it will work again next year. The team performed perfectly, no one can blame each other. The organization also went well. In any case: respect for Magain and Dewulf. The two of them rode until two hours from the end. I take my hat off to that.”
Kevin Fors: “I am really very disappointed. I personally rode a very strong La Chinelle. In my sessions I was always the fastest on the track and I gave it everything. Honestly, I'm disappointed because we certainly could have won. We had some minor problems on Saturday; with the bike in practice, not a very good qualifying, a bad start... And then we finally got up to cruising speed, passing one team after the other. I got us back into the leaders' wheel but unfortunately we weren't able to finish the job. They asked me to also do the last change, but I had a lot of cramps because I had gone so deep.”
Erik Willems: “Our start was great, I rode very well myself. My times were comparable to those of Jeffrey (Dewulf), only Fors was a little faster. In my second session I went off hard, which cost us five or six minutes. I tried to drive afterwards, but my leg was hurting too much. That's why I had to come back in after 35, 40 minutes. Ultimately, Jérome (Martiny) and Matthew (Vanoevelen) finished the match. Chapeau, because with two it is of course very difficult.”
Jerome Martiny: “We are happy with the podium but apart from the first two hours we were not in contention for victory. That was disappointing. Personally, I came to win and I can't be satisfied with how I rode this year. It was rock hard and slippery and I didn't feel comfortable. Actually, unlike Matthew, I never got into my rhythm and it was 12 hours of suffering! Physically this was a difficult La Chinelle, but next year we will come back to win.”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Gino Maes
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