ISDE Portugal: Team Belgium takes Watling Trophy!
Admittedly it was still close, but the young Belgians held off team Chile today to secure fifth place! Immediately the best Belgian Junior Trophy result ever. Team Belgium's 10th place in the World Trophy also commanded respect. The Belgians were also rewarded on the final podium tonight with the “Watling Trophy” for the most improved country!
The standard bearer of the Junior team, Antoine Magain, caught the spotlight in Portugal with a series of impressive performances. In the cross test, the AMC Eau Noire Nismes was not lucky. Antoine got boxed in at the start and was the last to go through the first corner. Although he was able to come back a bit, Magain fell two corners before the finish. A disappointing ending, but the final balance is certainly impressive. In the scratch we find 'Minimax' as 17th, 8th in the E2 and 5th Junior!
The cross test itself was moved at the last minute on(!) and around the Portimao karting circuit. Nice atmosphere for the fans, but the hybrid supermoto track was difficult to describe as a real motocross final. Far from ideal conditions for motocross rider Erik Willems to make a difference. Erik finished his final in 10th place in the E2. In his very first ISDE, the Husqvarna Belgium rider was the absolute revelation for international experts. Willems finished just outside the top 20 in the scratch, he was ultimately 23rd overall and 10th in the E2.
Mika Vanderheyden also completed his International Six Days of Enduro in difficult circumstances. The 19-year-old endurist from Kasteelbrakel had to struggle through three days in 'survival mode', but did gain a lot of useful experience. Dad/coach Wim Vanderheyden was rightly pleased with the performance of his pupils!
Pride also prevailed in the Belgian World Trophy camp. Due to the retirement of Jérome Martiny, Team Belgium was left without a joker, but Mathias Van Hoof (photo above), Gautier Lillo and Jeremy Herinne still got the job done. Both Jeremy Herinne and Gauthier Lillo reached the top 70 individually. In his first ISDE, Van Hoof quickly achieved a place in the coveted top 50. In the end he had to settle for 52nd place, but did take a gold medal*. In short, a historic week for Belgian enduro. Congratulations guys!
*Individual gold medals go to competitors who finish within 10% of the total elapsed time in their class, silver medals are awarded for those who finish within 25%, and bronze medals are awarded to any rider who finishes within the allowed time on all six days .
Photos: Mastorgne Photography Fred ccy
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