2 November 2024
Dries Degrieck in the lead in Lyon
This morning at 8:30 AM local time, the first World Cup competition of the 2024-2025 season kicked off in Lyon. Dries Degrieck (BEL) managed to make drive two smooth, friendly to watch, fast and clear rounds which makes him the winner of the first competition in Lyon.With today’s results, -in reverse order of today’s results- tomorrow’s starting order has been determined. Then, at 12:50 PM local time, the first World Cup points will be distributed.
Slightly cautious
Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) won the first round today. He drove a very nice, smooth and clear round in the time of 155.12 seconds. This put him above Dries Degrieck, who was in second place after the Warm-up, at the start of the Drive-off. Jérôme seemed to hold back slightly in the second round from obstacle eleven. As a result, he also stayed clear in the second round, but with his time of 157.28 was just not fast enough. With two penalty points more, he had to let Dries Degrieck go ahead.
Emotions
Benjamin Aillaud, who competed with a Wild Card, also drove very well. He had to start first in the Warm-Up and drove a ball off on gate 13, the very last gate. His fast round put him just below Dries Degrieck in the Drive-off. His time of 155.71 kept him in the lead, so Benjamin knew he would finish in third place or higher. His grooms were aware of that too. Hugs were handed out, tears were dried and on exiting the track, Benjamin thanked the crowd.
Start of the season
IJsbrand Chardon had two balls in both rounds. The coordination within the team did not yet seem as it should be, but it is only the beginning of the season. Knowing him, he will get the team better during the season, which will surely be reflected in the results.
Course
Click here for today’s results and the obstacle drawing by Jeroen Houterman. The course is hard enough and today, especially on gates ten and thirteen, many mistakes were made. Tomorrow, the same drivers will compete again. Then the World Cup points will be distributed.
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