Rally
Niels Reynvoet settled after an intense duel with the Dutchman Jos Verstappen. — © David Mares
Niels Reynvoet (Citroën C3 Rally2) has scored his first BK victory in the Omloop van Vlaanderen. The East Fleming beat the Dutchman Jos Verstappen (Skoda Fabia Rally2) after an intense duel by just seven seconds.
Although the Omloop van Vlaanderen with barely 64 participants also suffered a bit from the anemia in the BC, the race in Roeselare could count on the participation of BC leader Maxime Potty. The Walloon Citroën driver briefly took the lead on Friday evening before making a mistake. Niels Reynvoet took over command, although he soon had to undergo Jos Verstappen’s law. The former F1 driver pushed Reynvoet to the limit in a blood-curdling duel, but put the game in a fold when he pushed straight on the penultimate test.
Not Verstappen, but Reynvoet took his first BK victory in this way. “It was often just not enough, but this time we succeeded,” said Reynvoet, who lost a home win in Oudenaarde two weeks ago. “Jos went really fast in the final lap. When I suddenly counted four seconds behind, I had already resigned myself to it. But he has never been in that leadership position, just like we did in Oudenaarde. It’s really so hard to finish it.”
“A third place is really unexpected”
Bjorn Syx after his first BK podium
In the battle for third place Andy Lefevere (VW Polo Rally2) broke a wheel, while Vincent Verschueren (Skoda Fabia Rally2) had turbo problems. Bjorn Syx (Citroën C3 Rally2) drove to his first BK podium. “A third place is really unexpected”, said the Dikkebusnaar, only on the road with a Rally2 for the second time. “In terms of times, we have made good progress. I already have a good feeling in the car, especially in dry weather.”
The Dutchman Bernhard Ten Brinke (Skoda Fabia Rally2) celebrated his comeback with a fourth place, while his compatriot Roger Hodenius (Skoda Fabia Rally2) just beat Nicola Stampaert (Skoda Fabia Rally2) in the battle for fifth place.
Jan Maeyaert wins at Historics
Behind Thibaud Mazuin (Skoda Fabia Rally2) and Jimmy D’Hondt (Citroën C3 Rally2), Pieter-Jan Maeyaert drove his BMW M3 to an impressive eighth place and victory at the Historics. Pieterjanmichiel Cracco (Porsche 991 GT3) took victory in GT in eleventh place ahead of Tuur Vanden Abeele (Porsche 997 GT3). Thierry Cokelaere (BMW 1M) was the best in the M-Cup, while Jonas Dewilde (Renault Clio Rally4) took victory and title in the Juniors.