Thursday 10 May sees the start of the 2018 FIM Long Track World Championship on the 964m track at the Waldstadion in Herxheim where the traditional Ascension Day or Father’s Day meeting always attracts the fans in their thousands.
The chase for the title will be led by current champion Mathieu Trésarrieu the first Frenchman to win a track racing world championship and the only former winner in the field. However, the path will not be an easy one for the likeable racer with a host of other riders looking to steal his glory and with the accent on the younger brigade.
Britain’s James Shanes has started his season well with a win at the first major Long Track meeting in Dingolfing beating local favourites Michael Hartël and Stephan Katt in the process. The 21-year-old double European Champion will be looking to improve on his performance last year, his first in the World Championship, when he finished in fourth spot.
Speedway Grand Prix rider Chris Harris will also be competing after making his debut in this championship only last year. Mechanical problems restricted his results until the end of the season, but he is back again determined to prove that he is still capable of mixing with the best.
The third Brit in the mix is Richard Hall who finished third in this championship back in 2013 and could still prove a spoiler to some of the more fancied contestants.
Racing in Herxheim on Thursday begins at 13.30 local time although practice on Wednesday will also include some national races and for those fans unable to travel, the meeting will be streamed live on the FIM YouTube channel.