Italian ace Patrick Turrini put the hammer down to claim both Race victories at Round 3 of the 2026 FIM Quadcross World Championship in Kleinhau, Germany, at the weekend, where British Champion Harry Walker finished third.
Words by Bradley Hix – Images courtesy of FIM QuadX
Warm-up
A slightly cloudy day opened the proceedings on Sunday, and it would be Manfred Zienecker who topped the timing sheets after his issue yesterday – could this be a sign of things to come? Kevin Saar, after an incident in the qualifying race, took the opportunity to ensure that everything was okay mechanically and with himself, as he posted a lap time quick enough for fourth, but he would have his work cut-out for the races this afternoon with 24th gate pick. Championship leader, Patrick Turrini, would come home second-quickest, ahead of van Grinsven, with Harry Walker completing the top five.
Race 1
All eyes were down to the gates and, as they dropped, it was the home rider of Jordi Niclas Gieler who claimed the holeshot and would lead the way for the opening handful of laps. Manfred Zienecker and Kevin Saar, from 22nd and 24th gate picks, would be on the cusp of the top 10 positions at the end of the opening lap. Sylvain Petit, as always, had made a fantastic start, and was keeping a mass of riders including Mark Mclernon, Harry Walker, Mike van Grinsven and Patrick Turrini at bay.
Only a few laps later, and van Grinsven seized the opportunity to take the lead of the race and, not before too long, Gieler would lose positions to Turrini and Mclernon.
Zienecker was riding like a man possessed and was inside the top six position when misfortune would come knocking at his door again. This time, it was an engine problem which forced him to return back to the pits, dropping him way down the order to 22nd, and a lap behind the leader. He would then come back onto the circuit and latch onto van Grinsven in 2nd place, to tow him around, and would eventually claim 20th position.
Being promoted into sixth position was Sylvain Petit, but he would also be bitten by bad luck as a flat tyre forced him to return to the pits as well. He would rejoin he race, and take 16th.
Turrini was well out in-front, with van Grinsven unchallenged in second position, but the same could not be said for Harry Walker because Kevin Saar was breathing down his neck with only a few laps remaining. The door opened, and Kevin went through to put himself into the podium placings. For a man who said his goal was to stay safe and bring home solid points, I’m sure a podium finish was a very welcome return.
Results
Race 2
Jordi Niclas Gieler was quickest from the gate and took a clean sweep of holeshot at his home around, and kept the hard-charging Walker, Turrini and van Grinsven at bay. From the second row of the gate, Kevin Saar and Manfred Zienecker were inside the top-twelve positions by the end of lap one. Going from bad to worse was Zienecker’s weekend, as he would not complete the second lap, and was out of the race.
Despite the best efforts from Gieler, Turrini’s challenge proved too much to cope with and the Italian took the lead of the race. Gieler would put up a great defence against van Grinsven and Walker, but a slight mistake saw him lose traction, almost completing a full spin, and lose both positions in one move.
In the mid-point of the race, it appeared that Walker had van Grinsven covered, but the Dutchman knew where to pounce and relegated Walker, with the Brit having no comeback on this occasion. Van Grinsvn would then go on to post the fastest lap of the day to put himself in the wheel tracks of Turrini, into the closing stages.
Whilst this was happening, Theo Gourmaud was having one of his best rides of the season, fighting for top five positions and proving he has the talent and speed to be a consistent front-runner in the world championship.
Into the final couple of laps, and van Grinsven sensed the opportunity to make the move, and almost made it work on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately for him, Turrini was having none of it, and would not succumb to the pressure to take another victory, and the overall win.
Walker came home settling for third, with Kevin Saar battling through the pack once more, to put himself fourth ahead of Gourmaud.
Another brilliant weekend of Quadcross racing has concluded, but it’s only three weeks until the next round kicks off at Canada Heights, in the UK. Home turf for Harry Walker and being only nine points away from Saar in the championship, it’s all to play for. Saar will be desperate to make amends after this weekend, and Turrini will undoubtedly look to continue his strong form.
Results
Overall Result
Championship Standings
