A perfect summers day would greet the 31-strong field as they took to the gate, with the pre-qualifying practice session suggesting that Patrick Turrini may be the man to be, as he took the top spot by just shy of half a second, over Mark Mclernon, who took overall victory in Gdansk 12 months ago.
Qualifying Race
Harry Walker bolted from the gate and seemed to take the holeshot, but the watering of the circuit would go against him as he slid wide, resulting in the reigning champion dropping to 5th position. Mark Mcleron would take control of the race, and clearly intended to stretch his advantage and manage the race from the front as he stretched his leading margin over Karlis Neija, Harry Walker, Patrick Turrini and Karl Robin Rillo. Evidently, from the start of the race Rillo looked comfortable as he made his way through the field, not without a very close encounter with series leader, Turrini. A bold move from Rillo would see him cut to the inside of Turrini on the exit of a tight right-hand corner, and Turrini did not want to release his hold on the position. With Rillo’s machine to his right, and the berm to his left, Turrini would tangle with the Estonian and be thrown from his Yamaha, which would then roll onto him for good measure. It was a welcome sight to see Turrini righting his machine, and rejoining the race, however, not before losing over 20 positions. This would leave him with plenty of work to do.
Karlis Neija was holding firm in his second-place position in the opening half of the race, but he would soon be overcome by the challenges of Walker, Rillo, van Grinsven and Reinis Bicans. Rillo was on a charge, and with a stunning move on Walker, would promote himself into second position, with clear track laid out before him and aiming for the target on Mclernon’s 919 jersey. Walker would follow from a distance and, with the tracking coming to him, set about chasing after the Ulsterman and Estonian in front.
An out-of-shot move would see Rillo find a way through on long-time race leader Mclernon, and with seemingly superior pace, would stretch out his margin to over 5 seconds by the chequered flag. In the meantime, Turrini was on a mission, and would be the only rider to go under the 1:40 bracket, with a supreme time of 1:39.786 whilst finding his way through the field. It was 27th, then 25th, then 22nd, and by the chequered flag it was a staggering 16th place for the 2023 champion. Lots of work to do, but a fantastic recovery ride, nonetheless.
Rillo was too far up the road for Walker to challenge for the lead, but he had his eyes set on Mclernon and would find a way through on his great friend and rival to put himself and his Yamaha into the second place position. Throughout this period, Neija was unfortunately being plucked off one-by-one by his competitors, through no lack of trying, as Bicans and van Grinsven would take advantage of the opportunities. Bicans had the advantage of being in 4th place until the final lap, when van Grinsven, 3rd in the standings at this stage, would slip through and steal the position.
The chequered flag beckoned the arrival of Rillo, as he stormed to qualifying victory ahead of Walker, with Mclernon rounding out the podium finishers.
Results
- Karl Robin Rillo
- Harry Walker
- Mark Mclernon
- Mike van Grinsven
- Reinis Bicans
If the qualifying race is any gauge to place expectation, we are in for yet another incredible day of racing tomorrow, with any one of six riders, potentially more, proving capable of taking victory.
