Semi Finals 1 and 2 at Pardubice 14:00 and 17:00
Another week and another meeting at Pardubice. I'm not getting too much variation in track of late but quite a bit of variation in field.
Today's journey was Podebrady via Kolin to Pardubice Hlavni Nadrazi. Arriving in time to catch the 88 bus (at 1304 - they seem to run 4 minutes and 34 minutes past the hour) from stance 3 just outside the main train station. Very handy. Equally handy is the method of purchasing a ticket via your phone. Send a message 'DPMP' to number 90206 and a couple of minutes later you get sent a message indicating you have purchased a 25 crown (kc) single ticket. Which is valid for an hour within Pardubice. Of course you can also buy it on the bus.
The bus takes you to the Svitkov part of Pardubice (which is the area in which the stadium is located). We jumped off when the bus turned off the main road (on the edge of the wooded area near the track), as we knew we can walk through the trees to get towards the track.
Today's meetings were both semi finals of the 250cc European Championship.
70 kc for entrance and 30 kc, so 100 kc (or 3 or 4 quid depending on exchange rate) for 40 plus heats of racing.
Semi Final 1
Line-up
1. LILL, Markus Maximus (Estonia) (2,1,0,1,0 = 4) 12th
2. JENICEK, Jan (Czech Rep) (1,0,1,1,0 = 3) 13th
3. RAGUS, Fabian (Poland) (3,1,1,0,2 = 7) 10th
4. KOSSLER, Sebastian (Austria) - Did not arrive (16th)
5. PEDERSEN, Rasmus (Denmark) (2,3,2,2,1 = 10) 6th
6. LAPPI, Viljam (Finland) (1,1,1,2,3 = 8) 8th (after run off)
7. BACHHUBER, Erik (Germany) (3,3,2,3,3 = 14) 1st (after run off
8. HAGON, Sam (UK) (0,3,2,2,1 = 8) 9th (after run off)
9. HEGENER, Marlon (Germany) (1,2,0,1,1 = 5) 11th
10. POLLESTAD, Mathias (Norway) (3,3,3,3,2 = 14) 2nd (after run off)
11. WAHLQVIST, Noel (Sweden) (2,2,3,3,2 = 12) 5th (after run off)
12. JOHANSEN, Jacob (Denmark) (R,1,0,0,1 = 2) 14th
13. BASTECKY, Michal (Czech Rep) (0,0,Ex,N,N = 0) 15th
14. KNUDSEN, Jesper (Denmark) (2,2,3,2,3 = 12) 4th (after run off)
15. PALUCH, Oskar (Poland) (3,Fx,3,3,3 = 12) 3rd (after run off)
16. SELVIN, Ludvig (Sweden) (1,2,2,1,2 = 8) 7th (after run off)
A few well known speedway names in the above line-up and I'd also seen many race and was anticipating Knudsen, Pedersen and Pollestad to feature. They did but were joined by two new names (to me) Bachhuber and Paluch who were very impressive.
Heat 1
Result - RAGUS, LILL, JENICEK, KOSSLER (non-starter) 76.94
Lill led all the way until the last bend only for an engine issue (perhaps fuel) to cause him to slow and almost halt still managing to get over the line in 2nd place.
Heat 2
Result - BACHHUBER, PEDERSEN, LAPPI, HAGON 77.40
Bachhuber gated, had good style and won comfortably.
Link to Video Clip of Semi Final Heat 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EhSg10h7lQ&t=15s
Heat 3
Result - POLLESTAD, WAHLQVIST, HEGENER, JOHANSEN (retired) 73.08
Pollestad gated and rode a nice line for a good win
Link to Video Clip of Semi Final Heat 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoJ_fMQGUZI
Heat 4
Result - PALUCH, KNUDSEN, SELVIN, BASTECKY 71.62 !!
Paluch made a good start and Knudsen (the World Champion) couldn't lay a glove on him
Link to Video of Semi Final Heat 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3UPgXti-kw&t=17s
Heat 5
Result - PEDERSEN, HEGENER, LILL, BASTECKY 73.75
Comfortable win for Pedersen
Heat 6
Result - POLLESTAD, KNUDSEN, LAPPI, JENICEK 72.78
Knudsen from the gate but a neat pass by Pollestad on turn 4 lap 1 takes him to the win.
Link to Video of Semi Final Heat 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1BIWAsjJQw&t=11s
Heat 7
Result after re-run - BACHHUBER, WAHLQVIST, RAGUS, PALUCH (fell excluded) 73.69
In the first running of this one Paluch missed the gate and made a move from third trying to get into 2nd but was too quick into the bend (3rd bend lap 2 - I think) and brought down Wahlqvist.
Re-run Bachhuber made the gate for a comfortable win.
Heat 8
Result - HAGON, SELVIN, JOHANSEN, KOSSLER (non starter) 73.91
Fine gate from Hagon with a smooth line taking him to the win.
Heat 9
Result - WAHLQVIST, SELVIN, LAPPI, LILL 74.37
Wahlqvist with the win but Lappi tried very hard to challenge for second.
Heat 10
Result - PALUCH, PEDERSEN, JENICEK, JOHANSEN 72.59
Pedersen made the gate but the little Pole was soon by him with a fine first turn. Johansen had an engine failure whilst sitting in third.
Heat 11
Result - KNUDSEN, HAGON, RAGUS, HEGENER 74.16
Great race. Hagon with a fine gate from the inside trap, Knudsen chases and hounds Hagon, often getting alongside but Hagon rides a nice line, only to succumb when Knudsen chops across Hagon on turn 1 of the last lap. Brutal move. Great race from both.
Heat 12
Result - POLLESTAD, BACHHUBER, BASTECKY (fell excluded - from first running), KOSSLER (NON STARTER) 73.82
Another fine race. Bachhuber with the gate and Pollestad chasing him using a slightly tighter line all around the circuit. The tighter line paying off with a lap long challenge, on the final lap, to take Pollestad into the lead and win. Super race.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMHubnMOups
Heat 13
Result - BACHHUBER, KNUDSEN, LILL, JOHANSEN 73.85
Bachhuber from the gate riding a smooth fast line not allowing Knudsen to lay a glove on him.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY8NwZwwjk0
Heat 14
Result - WAHLQVIST, HAGON, JENICEK, BASTECKY (non starter - injury) 74.40
Hagon with another fine gate and it took until 2nd lap 3rd bend before Wahlqvist could work his way into the lead.
Heat 15
Result - POLLESTAD, PEDERSEN, SELVIN, RAGUS 73.72
Pollestad with a nice gate and a tapes to flag win.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGfHbPv85IA
Heat 16
Result - PALUCH, LAPPI, HEGENER, KOSSLER (non starter) 73.38
Another fine gate and first bend from Paluch.
Heat 17
Result - PALUCH, POLLESTAD, HAGON, LILL 72.62
Paluch led from the gate with Pollestad not really getting close enough to the Pole and in fact coming under pressure from Hagon until making certain of second place.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-HpvlEgxcw
Heat 18
Result - BACHHUBER, SELVIN, HEGENER, JENICEK 71.69 !!
Bachhuber with a fast tapes to flag win.
Heat 19
Result - LAPPI, RAGUS, JOHANSEN, BASTECKY (non starter) 74.87
Lappi winning this one in fine style. The win taking him into a run off for a qualification place.
Heat 20
Result - KNUDSEN, WAHLQVST, PEDERSEN, KOSSLER (non starter) 73.78
Knudsen with a fine gate and an untroubled win with Pedersen initially in second until Wahlqvist worked his way by.
Race Off 1 - For 7th, 8th and 9th
Result - SELVIN, LAPPI, HAGON
Link to Video Semi Final 1 Race Off 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWdzdp3cO_c
Race Off 2 - For 3rd, 4th and 5th
Result - PALUCH, KNUDSEN, WAHLQVIST
Link to Video Semi Final 1 Race Off 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJtwwEsgK7Q
Race Off 3 - For 1st and 2nd
Result - BACHHUBER, POLLESTAD
Link to Video Semi Final 1 Race Off 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9b9YzrVsGM
In summary a superb meeting with a surprise (to me) winner.
Erik Bachhuber is definitely in the category to keep an eye on. Smart from the gate and a very smooth and solid style.
Others that impressed were Knudsen, Wahlqvist and Pedersen although the latter not as much as the first two.
The stand out name though is Oskar Paluch, who but for a 2nd heat rush of blood would have been in with a great shout of winning the meeting. Super fast (very small so will benefit from this on the 250cc - as others are heavier than he) and definitely one to watch.
Semi Final 2
No parade prior to second semi final due to potential rain later (it did rain but approximately 3 drops)
Line up
FINGER, Tom (Germany) (0,1,1,0,0 = 2) 14th
GUSTS, Francis (Latvia) (3,2,3,2,2 = 12) 3rd
RATAJCZAK, Damian (Poland) (2,3,0,3,3 = 11) 6th
BOUIN, Tino (France) (1,F,1,0,0 = 2) 15th
DOBIAS, Milan (Czech Rep) (0,2,0,2,1 = 5) 11th
SKAARUP, Patrick (Denmark) (1,1,2,2,1 = 7) 9th
MCGURK, Sam (UK) (3,0,3,1,1 = 8) 8th
WYNANT, Jonny (Germany) (2,1,3,3,3 = 12) 2nd
PANICZ, Mateusz (Poland) (2,3,1,3,3 = 12) 5th
MOOS, Noah (Denmark) (0,0,2,R,1 = 3) 13th
ERNST, Ben (Germany) (3,2,3,1,3) = 4th
GRAHN, Gustav (Sweden) (1,3,2,2,2 = 10) = 7th
VALAND, Jesper (Norway) (0,0,0,0,0 = 0) = 16th
HENRIKSSON, Casper (Sweden) (3,3,2,3,2 = 13) 1st
KARLSEN, Mathias (Denmark) (2,1,1,1,2 = 7) 10th
HEINVEE, Gert (Estonia) (1,2,0,1,0 = 4) 12th
Heat 1
Result - GUSTS, RATAJCZAK, BOUIN, FINGER 75.50
Gusts from the gate and smooth nice style.
Heat 2
Result - MCGURK, WYNANT, SKAARUP, DOBIA 74.75
McGurk from the gate and smooth untroubled.
Heat 3
Result - ERNST, PANICZ, GRAHN, MOOS 74.94
Ernst took the win but wasn't as dominant as I thought he'd be (too heavy for 250cc now?)
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCTU8Hkwujo
Heat 4
Result - HENRIKSSON, KARLSEN, HEINVEE, VALAND 75.47
Henriksson from Karlsen from the gate the other two were well tailed off.
Heat 5
Result - PANICZ, DOBIAS, FINGER, VALAND 74.68
Comfortable for Panicz, won by a distance.
Heat 6
Result - HENRIKSSON, GUSTS, SKAARUP, MOOS 75.12
Henriksson passes Gusts on the last bend.
Heat 7
Result - RATAJCZAK, ERNST, KARLSEN, MCGURK 74.79
Ernst leads from tapes but Ratajczak chases and eventually rewarded with a fine pass on the last bend.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWwOB2rt-rc
Heat 8
Result - GRAHN, HEINVEE, WYNANT, BOUIN (fell) 74.16
Wynant led all the way until last bend engine failure. Looked fast to that point.
Heat 9
Result - ERNST, SKAARUP, FINGER, HEINVEE 75.87
Skaarup with a fine gate and big lead in the early stages. However, Ernst slowly reeled him in and passed 3rd lap 3rd bend. But didn't look super fast.
Heat 10
Result - GUSTS, GRAHN, KARLSEN, DOBIAS 76.29
Gusts from Karlsen for the entire race with little between them, Karlsen passed Dobias early in the heat and was never far off second.
Heat 11
Result - WYNANT, HENRIKSSON, PANICZ, RATAJCZAK 75.03
Strong heat with Wynant taking the win from an ever close Henriksson with Panicz winning the battle of the Poles.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4VT1PblP4Q
Heat 12
Result - MCGURK, MOOS, BOUIN, VALAND 77.28
Good gate from Moos and he rode a fine line but McGurk had him under pressure and it paid off with an inside pass on the 3rd bend 3rd lap.
Heat 13
Result - HENRIKSSON, GRAHN, MCGURK, FINGER 74.97
Gate from Henriksson with little pressure from Grahn. McGurk passing Finger for third.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87WGTUK-lC8
Heat 14
Result - WYNANT, GUSTS, ERNST, VALAND 74.37
Fine win for Wynant in a tough heat. Ernst surprisingly remained in third but challenged hard but Gusts defended well.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXY453HQBtk
Heat 15
Result - RATAJCZAK, DOBIAS, HEINVEE, MOOS (retired)
Ratajczak from the gate with Moos comfortably in second until his engine let go.
Heat 16
Result - PANICZ, SKAARUP, KARLSEN, BOUIN 75.03
Comfortable for Panicz. Bouin tailed off.
Heat 17
Result - WYNANT, KARLSEN, MOOS, FINGER 74.66
Impressively comfortable for the stylish Wynant.
Heat 18
Result - PANICZ, GUSTS, MCGURK, HEINVEE 75.18
Panicz from the gate but good early challenge from Gusts.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5v5FrADPTw
Heat 19
Result - RATAJCZAK, GRAHN, SKAARUP, VALAND 75.09
Comfortable for Ratajczak with Grahn passing Skaarup lap 2 bend 3.
Heat 20
Result - ERNST, HENRIKSSON, DOBIAS, BOUIN 74.72
Ernst from the gate but Henriksson tried hard to pass even though he just required second to win the meeting.
Link to Video Semi Final Heat 20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL7HsnHZk5s
Race Off 1 for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th
Result - WYNANT, GUSTS, ERNST, PANICZ 74.90
Link to Video Semi Final Run Off 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2nSVUrhSUg
In summary. Whilst Henriksson winning was not a huge surprise, Ernst didn't seem his usual dominant self. Other impressive efforts came from Panicz, Gusts and the very impressive Wynant. A few names to keep an eye on there.
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