Madrid In Motion convert pole position to win GCL Rome as Championship race intensifies
It was a demonstration of pure class as Madrid In Motion’s dynamic duo of Maikel van der Vleuten and Eduardo Alvarez Aznar were the only team to deliver 4 clear rounds today and finish on a clean sheet to take the win in the iconic Circus Maximus. On board Elwikke and the famous 19 year old Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot, the full crowd in the capital city of Rome erupted as they were crowned winners of the 14th stage of the 2024 season, picking up crucial maximum Championship points.
Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian kept the championship race alive against the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames by securing second today, meaning it goes down to the final stage of the season in Rabat from 18 – 20 October 2024. Anchor men Christian Kukuk and Philipp Weishaupt brought out the big guns of Just Be Gentle and Zineday to finish as the fastest team on 8 faults. While it was a home podium for Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV as Kyle Timm on Candar Mail and Nina Mallevaey with Dynastie de Beaufour delivered the goods, picking up just 8 faults over the two rounds, but four seconds slower than Riesenbeck.
With Rome’s iconic backdrop and passionate fans, the competition was nothing short of spectacular as Madrid In Motion repeated history and did back to back wins at the Circus Maximus. Talking to GCTV, Maikel van der Vleuten smiled: “It’s unbelievable that we can ride in these stunning locations around the world and today we saw top sport! I have kept on believing in the riders and the horses we have on the team and in Rome it’s super it worked out today.”
An emotional Eduardo Alvarez Aznar explained: “I haven’t been to the GCL competitions for a few weeks and really missed it. This comeback with these two horses and winning today makes me very proud of my team. Now we have the chance to climb in the rankings. We still have one more stage, Rabat is an important show for us and we are going to fight for it! We chose our four experienced horses and today they gave it all. With four clear rounds. We haven’t always had the luck on our side this year but we have a great team spirit together. Rokfeller feels fantastic. When you look at him you would not believe he is 19. He moves and jumps with the same attitude as when he was a young horse.”
Talking about how crucial this podium was for their team Kukuk said: “It feels good to be second and pick up these points. I said our main goal before the show was that we still have a championship race for Rabat. It’s not done yet, there’s a final and we are ready for it.”
Teammate Philipp Weishaupt added: “We are super pleased with how the horses jumped today. A double clear and two very unlucky rails for Christian kept us in the Championship race and now there is 5 weeks until Rabat so we need to go away, make a plan and send our best combinations.”
It was all smiles for the home team as Rome Gladiators took third and Nina Mallevaey said: “It’s amazing the atmosphere here in Rome! We are really close, we are a big team and to podium with our team owner Mark Rein and his whole family watching on is amazing. There are so many people behind us and we are both really grateful for them.”
Mid-season transfer Kyle Timm has proved his place on the squad and smiled: “Our goal today for sure was a podium. It’s our home show for the Rome Gladiators so we definitely wanted to do our best.”
2024 Championship Standings Heading into Rabat Finals
- Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames: 287 points
- Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian: 264 points
- Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses: 245 points
- Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team : 238 points
- Doha Falcons: 238 points
Round 1 saw only Madrid In Motion come home on a clean sheet but with five teams behind them only two poles apart, it was still anyone’s game heading into Uliano Vezzani’s 1.60m track for round 2. There was drama from start to finish in the class and it began when Monaco Aces powered by Lion of Porches were eliminated after a run out in the middle of the GCL combination from Edward Levy and Catchar Mail who then opted to retire.
The Doha Falcons flew into the arena, determined to put the pressure on the top six teams. Julien Anquetin rode first for the team. Anquetin soared across the course with Blood Diamond du Pont, coming home clear and rapid. Simon Delestre also took the risky strategy of going flat out but got it done aboard Dexter Fontenis Z adding no faults to stay on a team total of 12 from round one and crucially in an extremely fast time.
Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames had to stay on their score of eight and put the pressure on Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian. Sophie Hinners started on course with lots of power, coming home clear aboard Iron Dames My Prins. Next up was teammate Katrin Eckermann. Eckermann carefully navigated the course. An unfortunate rail in the GCL triple opened the door for Riesenbeck International as the Stars finished with 12 faults on the scoreboard. Katrin said after her round: “What we have been able to do in these 12 months is unbelievable. We have grown together as a team and today we showed we were a team.”
Talking to GCTV R1 rider for the Cannes Stars Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann said: “If it would be easy, it would be boring. This sport is exciting and we kept it exciting. Of course it would have been nice to win it this weekend. But we gave it our best and the horses jumped great. And we try to come back next time super strong.”
Fresh from their second place last week in Valkenswaard, New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamonds, had their eye on a podium finish here in Rome. Denis Lynch and Mr Boombastic looked to be on track for a clear but had an unfortunate rail as he was headed for home. David Will on Zinedream looked determined as he started on course, racing across the arena but two poles down meant the team dropped down the order.
Home team Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV were next in the ring. First to go Nina Mallevaey smoothly navigated the course but acquired four faults on course aboard Dynastie de Beaufour. Fellow teammate Kyle Timm needed a clear round to secure a podium finish for the Gladiators. Timm delivered a beautiful clear round aboard Candar Mail to secure third place for the team on home turf.
The tension was palpable as Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian entered the arena. Christian Kukuk started for the team riding Just Be Gentle. One rail on course meant an additional four added to the team’s score. Philipp Weishaupt raced across the course on Zineday as the audience were on the edge of their seats. Weishaupt came home clear for the team as Riesenbeck International jumped into first place. The powerhouse team had managed to fend off the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames as the 2024 GCL Championship battle now heads to the Finals in Rabat this October.
Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team roared into the arena with their eye on the top spot. First to go, Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli looked calm and collected as she started on course. Zanotelli came home clear for the team. Teammate Fernando Martinez Sommer knew he needed a clear round to stay on 4 and put the pressure on stage leaders Madrid in Motion. A rail down in the first combination aboard Joep and a careful time meant the team tentatively moved into third place but with one team to go they ultimately slipped off the podium for fourth.
Madrid in Motion were last to go. As the only team on zero penalties after round one, the team looked confident as they entered the arena. Maikel van der Vleuten was first up for the team with Elwikke. He delivered a masterclass, coming home clear for the team. Last to go in the GCL of Rome was Eduardo Alvarez Aznar aboard the iconic Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot. Aznar looked calm and composed as he started on course, coming home clear to secure the win for Madrid in Motion, the only team to finish on zero penalties. The team claimed their second consecutive victory in the GCL of Rome.
The championship now heads to Rabat, Morocco, for the climactic Finals where the stakes are higher than ever. Fans from around the world eagerly await the thrilling showdown between the Cannes Stars and Riesenbeck International to find out who will be crowned the 2024 GCL season Champions!
