Great inauguration of Tauron Speedway Euro Championship is behind us. First round was taken by Jarosław Hampel, who defeated Antonio Lindbaeck, Kai Huckenbeck and Mikkel Michelsen in the final heat. Hampel became the overall leader with 17 points reached.
First two heats of today’s round brought some tension in Robert Lambert and Krzysztof Kasprzak’s teams – they touched tape in their first heat and got replaced by track reserves: Robert Chmiel and Norbert Krakowiak. Chmiel left a good impression after defending third position and leaving Emil Sayfutdinov behind his back.
In heat no. 6, it was only inches away from crash between Piotr Pawlicki and Leon Madsen. Through two laps, Dane was racing really close to Pole, who got Madsen right next to the fence. Danish rider had to regain control of his bike, which led Kasprzak jumping right between these two at the finish line.
A phenomenal show was provided through whole four laps by bronze medalist of last year’s SEC – Vaclav Milik and 2018 champion – Andzejs Lebedevs. Czech rider was attacking Lebedevs’s position, but it was current Euro Champion who ended as first.
Fans admired their tough fight, but it was all in a fair-play spirit and long after the meeting, it was analyzed by both riders.
One can say that today’s TAURON SEC in Leon Madsen’s case, was all about fighting with Poles. In heat no.6, Dane faced Piotr Pawlicki and in heat no.14, he was struggling with Hampel. As it turned out later – it was the only time when Hampel was defeated.
In heat no. 20, which was crucial for race-off line up, Piotr Pawlicki and Peter Kildemand made the crowd stunned. Neither Pole nor Dane was giving up and their racing looked simply amazing. Ultimately, it was Pawlicki who won this clash and thanks to two points he got, Pole got through to the race-off heat.
After the first series, Jarosław Hampel and Antonio Lindbaeck were at the top. Even though, they got defeated in single heats, before the last series, only a catastrophy could’ve taken away their direct advance to the final heat.
Race-off was a clash of Kai Huckenbeck, Mikkel Michelsen, Peter Kildemand and Piotr Pawlicki. “Piter” was fans’ favourite, but unluckily engine’s failure got him rid out of dreams about winning the first round. Hampel and Lindbaeck were joined by Huckenbeck and Michelsen in the final heat.
Final was all about Jarek Hampel. Winning the start and crossing the line as first were undeniable, even though he was chased by Lindbaeck, who overtook Huckenbeck on the distance. However, it was not enough to catch the phenomenal Pole.
“Today’s meeting was great for me – I could not complain about my bike or my disposition – today, everything was just perfect. Now, it’s time for Guestrow! Even though it’s a specific track, cosidering its geometry, but when everything goes according to the plan, there’s no venue that can make you scared”, stated Jarosław Hampel – leader of Tauron Speedway Euro Championship 2018.
Full results on FIM Europe website http://www.fim-europe.eu/events/575
