The picturesque hills of Kramolín provided a perfect stage for the opening round of the 2025 European Quadcross Championship, welcoming riders with dry, fast conditions and a crowd eager for action. The stage was set for the season-long rivalry between reigning champion Harry Walker and 2023 title-holder Patrick Turrini to reignite, with Manfred Zienecker, Karl Robin Rillo, and Mike van Grinsven also eager to stamp their authority early.
Report and Images by Jordan Tyler – Earths Eye Media
Saturday Highlights
Pre-Qualifying Practice A tightly matched field saw less than a second separating the top five, with Karl Robin Rillo narrowly setting the pace ahead of Turrini, van Grinsven, Walker, and Zienecker. Local talents Jiri Brhel and Jiri Kasper showed competitive form, qualifying mid-pack in a highly stacked field.
Qualifying Race Rillo took the holeshot, but it was Turrini who ultimately claimed victory with a calculated charge to the front. Walker, despite leading early, settled for second as he sized up his main rival. Van Grinsven secured third in a quiet but consistent ride, while Rillo and Zienecker completed the top five. Notably, retirements from Leonardo Cazzulo and Eijk Delano curtailed their weekends before they had a chance to build momentum.
Sunday Race Day
Morning Warm-Up Cooler conditions greeted the riders, with Marcus Thomsen topping the session. Zienecker opted out, citing overly soft track conditions due to early watering.
Race 1 Rillo once again grabbed the holeshot, but Turrini quickly asserted himself at the front, controlling the race from the second lap onward. Walker battled back from a poor start to finish second, while van Grinsven rounded out the podium. Behind them, Rillo fended off intense pressure from Zienecker to claim fourth. Mark McLernon, recovering from a tough Saturday, was forced to retire again—this time due to a puncture after climbing into the top 10.
Race 2 Rillo completed a hat-trick of holeshots, but it was Turrini who again emerged dominant, executing a decisive pass and cruising to his first-ever perfect 1-1 weekend. Walker and van Grinsven once more filled out the podium, duplicating Race 1’s results. Rillo faded late in the race with an apparent issue, surrendering fourth to Zienecker, leaving the pair level on points.
An enthralling start to the 2025 campaign promises a season packed with drama and high-stakes racing. All eyes now turn to Foxhill and the British GP in two weeks’ time, as the championship battle heats up.
Overall Results
