Team GB finished a superb second to a triumphant home nation, the Netherlands, in the 2025 staging of the FIM Sidecarcross of Nations in Heerde.
Morning warm-up – The cold weather persisted, but race day was expected to improve considerably with unbroken sunshine due from mid-morning. The bad overnight news was that qualifying race winner Tim Prummer would not be taking part, as Jarno Steegmans suffered yet another injury to his shoulder in their first lap tangle yesterday, and was declared unfit to race by the medical team.
This was a blow to team Germany, effectively ruling them out of a meaningful result. The warm-up session for all other teams went well, with the track in good condition and hopes high for a great day.
Race One – The sun was well and truly through the mist as the teams lined up. It was team Netherlands in the shape of Tim Leferink/Jens Vincent who shot into the lead on home soil. Dan Foden/Noah Weinmann tussled with Davy Sanders/Robbe de Veene for second place and made the move. Stephan Wijers/Han van Hal were in that lead group, as were the Estonians Ular Karing/Sten Nitsoo. A good start by the Prunier brothers came to an end after a couple of laps, when their bike had to be lifted from the track following an incident.
Wijers chased down Sanders into third and then was on Foden’s case for a few laps. The pace at the front by Leferink was amazing, by half-distance he was ten seconds ahead and looking bulletproof. Further back, Markus Normak/Tomass Dukulis were backing up their compatriots ahead, battling with Germany’s Adrian Peter/Joel Hoffmann.
Suddenly, Foden had a moment which slowed him and relegated him two places. This put Netherlands in a one-two position, as Wijers had already caught Sanders. The Belgian was still third, with Foden holding fourth at the flag. A Netherlands whitewash was a good way for them to kickstart the home team defence of their title.
Race Two – A terrific start by the teenage Kaser brothers from Switzerland eclipsed Koen Hermans/Ben van den Bogaart and Brett Wilkinson. The youngsters swept into the lead, but it was short-lived. Stephan Wijers, Ivo Lasagna and Davy Sanders were also in the top four, but once Hermans got ahead, that was game over for the rest of the field in terms of victory. He rode a flawless race, just as he did in the qualifying yesterday, to extend an impossible lead. Wilkinson slotted into third behind Wijers and then profited, moving to second when the Dutchman tipped over in the deep ruts. Once in second place, he just rode hard but safely, navigating the sandy ruts as best he could.
The early efforts of the Italian Lasagna brothers deserve recognition, for the determination and a very good start. They did themselves and Italy proud.
Dan Foden did not have the best start this time around but made his way past Sanders and Wijers to third place, only to drop back one place when Wijers made a fresh attack. The young Swiss superstars who hit the front from the gate, had settled around sixth for a good portion of the race, ending in eighth.
They are names to be remembered for the future. At nineteen and sixteen years of age, their career together is just beginning.
Hermans victory was emphatic, with Wilkinson in a lonely runner-up spot, earning a great result for Team GB.
On the final lap, Foden had already succumbed to Wijers, so fourth is where he ended up, complementing Brett and Joe’s efforts.
Race Three – It was a great start by team France, with Killian/Evan Prunier taking the hole shot from Wilkinson/Millard and Koen Hermans/Ben van den Bogaart. Tim Leferink was in fourth, with young Kaser brothers again looking strong at the sharp end. Hermans and Wilkinson were very quickly past Prunier, but the Frenchman stuck to his guns and set about learning sand-riding skills. This was just the lesson he needed and was rewarded with a consistent fourth place. He had a poor result in his earlier race so this was a confidence builder.
Hermans was very fast, pulling out a significant lead over his ream-mate Leferink, who had jumped alongside and past Wilkinson over the tabletop.
The Dutch teams then were one-two to the flag.
Wilkinson pushed hard, but third place was the best he could muster, although a country mile ahead of Prunier. Mike Hodges/Ryan Henderson
made real progress through from a mediocre start, eventually nailing the French Auvray/Lebreton outfit to follow Prunier home claiming fifth place.
To say the Dutch were dominant is an understatement. Here in the deep sand of their own back yard, the winning display was decidedly impressive.
Race Report by Barry Nutley – Images by WSC