There’s been some incredibly warm weather in the UK recently, and this weather would extend into Saturday’s practise and qualifying sessions of the 2026 World Quadcross Championship British GP with 22 riders taking to the Canada Heights circuit, five of which are British.
Race Report by Bradley Hix – Images courtesy of QMX
The timed practise session got underway with steady lap times, but as the track developed to suit the quads, the competitors would find their feet and their speed. Making his debut in the world championship this weekend is Randy Naveaux, who was fighting for the top three positions. Let’s not forget, he was the man who took the overall victory on British soil one year ago at Foxhills, in the European championship. He may well be a force to be reckoned with this weekend. Red-plate holder Patrick Turrini found his groove and carried on his great momentum as he topped the session, but only by +0.066 over the Belgian.
Mike van Grinsven completed the top three, whilst Manfred Zienecker and Kevin Saar would finish fifth and sixth, separated by only +0.001. Another man making his world championship debut this weekend is Angus Parish from New Zealand. The Kiwi rider did himself proud as he took the 19th spot in this session.
Track conditions could not be better. A mixture of sand and hard-pack means this is a very technical circuit to deal with, but the laptime would certainly suggest that it will be a closely fought affair.
Qualifying Race
Before the gate had even dropped, there was drama as, with the 15-second board in the air, Harry Walker stepped off the #7 Yamaha as he heard a noise coming from the chain. Thankfully, everything was okay, and he was ready for the gate-drop. From the start, it was Turrini who almost took the holeshot, but Randy Naveaux would slide through to take the lead. Into turn two, and there was carnage as at least five riders were bogged on the apex, coming to a complete halt, including Mike Verboven and Manfred Zienecker. This would prove advantageous for Mark McLernon, who, from 21st gate-pick, would be promoted to the cusp of the top-10.
Walker, after the startline dramas, was into the top three placings with Kevin Saar hot on his heels, but Naveaux would be a tough competitor to deal with. Turrini, in second position, knew that Naveaux would not be a title contender this season, and was happy to keep Saar behind him to improve his world championship position.
Karlis Neija and Sylvain Petit were having a great battle for sixth position, and for a couple of laps, he had the measure over the Frenchman. Sylvain, however, was experimenting with different lines and soon enough, slotted through to depose the Latvian of sixth position, which would be a position he would not relinquish throughout the remainder of the race. Walker was doing an incredible job of defending third position, but Saar’s relentless pressure would pay off as he opted for the option line into the 90-degree right-hander, and wrestled the final podium position away from the local man.
Into the final lap and there was nothing that would stop Naveaux from taking victory by an impressive margin of four seconds over Turrini. A further four seconds adrift was Saar, who claimed the final podium position with Walker in fourth. A great ride from Jordi Niclas Gieler would result in him taking the chequered flag in fifth.
Results
With qualifying day complete in Canada Heights, all attention shifts to today’s GP races, which, after yesterday’s action, are expected to be incredible.
