The annual international team competition for the sports of sidecar motocross and quadcross comes to Loket in the Czech Republic over the weekend of 28-29 September. It is bound to be a thrilling and entertaining weekend.
Thirty-six teams from twelve nations will do battle over the spectacular Loket track, named after the Czech name for “elbow”. This came about because the ancient town is built around the river with a bend shaped like a human elbow.
Last year’s winners, Team Netherlands, are traditionally strong but are without two key players this year. Five-times world champion Etienne Bax has retired from the sport, and Justin Keuben suffered a serious injury early season, and is nowhere near race fit. Added to that, two Dutch team members will have replacement passengers, as Keuben’s passenger Dion Rietman jumps in with Tim Leferink, and Gert van Werven will have the services of Han van Hal, due to regular sidekick Aiver van de Wiel being injured in La Colla last weekend. The team is led by Koen Hermans and Ben van den Bogaart, fresh from a race victory in the final GP round the season.
Team GB sees veteran Stuart Brown with Lewis Gray partner Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard, who are riding high currently, having taken a debut Grand Prix overall victory just two weekends ago.
They are joined by double Nations race winner one year ago, Dan Foden reunited with Josh Chamberlain for this event. Whether Foden and Chamberlain are race-fit remains to be seen.
Belgium is also strong with newly crowned world champion Marvin Vanluchene, this time with Robbe de Veene in the hot seat, teamed with Davy Sanders/Jarno Steegmans and Kim de Cock/Stijn de Wylder.
France have triple French champions Killian and Evan Prunier, fast starting Hamard/Hupon and Auvray Lebreton.
The list is impressive and features several substitute passengers where national pride exceeds normal team loyalties. Rodolphe Lebreton is a prime example, as he has forsaken his German GP driver to defend his French heritage.
Latvia features a blend of youth and experience, with the Lielbardis brothers in the team headed by Janis and Lauris Daiders. Completing the Latvian line-up is Maris Rupeiks joined by Kaspars Liepins.
Gary Moulds is back for Ireland, but is bound to be rusty, after a year away with serious back problems. Nonetheless, the boys from the Emerald Isle will fight all the way.
Germany has Tim Prummer, Adrian Peter and the Weinmann brothers. This is potentially a good, strong team. There are many more strong teams, in fact far too much talent to individually name-check, so this year, the competition is far less a predictable affair.
Normal camping is available on-site, and a real party atmosphere always goes with the Nations competition.
Watch at Loket either in person, or courtesy of the live stream, details of which are on the website with prices and advance booking opportunities – https://page.inplayer.com/fimsidecarcross/ & https://www.tickets-fimsidecarcross.com/en/sqxon-loket-2024#/
Words by Barry Nutley – Images by WSC