Round Seven of the 2025 World Sidecarcross Championship took place in Madona, Latvia, over the weekend.
Report by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC – Maris Stiprais
There were showers overnight, and this would result in the circuit being a difficult task for the Grand Prix races, but this could well play into the hands of the Lielbardis twins – there’s nothing quite like local knowledge! Hermans / van den Bogaart would look to set things right after a collapsed suspension resulted in their retirement from the qualifying race, and Wilkinson / Millard would look to capitalise.
Race 1
Tensions were high as the gates slammed down, with Keuben / Rietman claiming the holeshot, ahead of the sibling of Lielbardis, and Leferink. Daniels and Bruno were undoubtedly riding on a crest of a wave of confidence, as the Latvian fans were in full force willing them on at home, with airhorns and flares in full swing. Killian and Evan Prunier held fourth position in the opening lap ahead of Wilkinson / Millard, to round out the top-five at the end of the first lap. A large gap had already formed between the Leferink brothers, ahead of the Prunier brothers, and this would work in favour of the Dutch pairing.
Hermans / vd Bogaart had plenty of work to do, and with the rain overnight, it would not be an easy task as they were outside of the top-10 positions in the early minutes of the event. They knew, however, that this would not do, and would soon move further up the field as the laps ticked by. Wijers / van Hal was having a great weekend, and would be promoted one more position, as would Hermans / vd Bogaart as a mechanical issue would force the Prunier’s out of the race. A disaster for the French champions, in their efforts of solidifying their position in the world championship.
With 20 minutes remaining, the gap between third and fourth of the Leferink’s and Wilkinson / Millard had already opened to 15 seconds, but the British duo would be quietly confident as the retirement of the Prunier’s would almost certainly push them into third position in the standings.
Halfway throughout the race, Hermans / vd Bogaart would be on the coattails of Wilkinson / Millard in their efforts of making amends after their qualifying disappointment, and the gate pick that came with it. Not before too long, the red-plate duo would find a way through on the British crew, to promote themselves to fourth position, and this would give them two more world championship points for the overall standings.
Keuben / Rietman held onto the lead of the race by the slimmest of margins as the Lielbardis brothers were right there, breathing down the necks of the race leaders. Through the option line and the Lielbardis twins would go side-by-side for the race lead, but it would prove to be to no avail as still, Keuben / Rietman held onto the advantage. In the meantime, Tim / Sem Leferink would hold onto a secure third position with over 40 seconds of clear track between themselves, and Hermans / vd Bogaart.
Despite the constant pressure being applied by the #101 crew, Keuben / Rietman would not falter as they placed their outfit exactly where the Lielbardis’ wanted to make the overtaking move, as this would prove to pay dividends as they rode home to race one victory. This would be through no lack of trying on the part of Daniels / Bruno Lielbardis as it was clear to see just how hard they were pushing the Dutch crew, but it would not go in their favour on this occasion.
The chequered flag waved and would greet Keuben / Rietman for their first race victory of the season, ahead of Lielbardis / Lielbardis by 5.490 seconds, with Leferink / Leferink rounding out the podium.
Result
Race 2
Recently crowned British champions Wilkinson / Millard would claim the holeshot from Lielbardis / Lielbardis, but it was a disaster for Leferink / Leferink as they would retire to the paddock moments after the gate-drop. On the opening lap, the Lielbardis twins would race into the lead and burst into view of the spectators in the race-lead, and this would turn the volume up to 11 as the crowd went wild for the home heroes. Prunier / Prunier would find themselves in 17th position by the end of lap one, leaving them with plenty of work to do over the following 30 minutes of Grand Prix racing.
Keuben / Rietman would make a clean move into second position to relegate Wilkinson / Millard through the option line, but already a seven second lead had opened between themselves and the Lielbardis twins. If it were to remain this way, the LIelbardis’ would claim overall victory!
Throughout the halfway point of the event, and the gap was still hovering around the eight second mark between Daniels / Bruno Lielbardis, and Justin Keuben / Dion Rietman. Throughout this time, Hermans / vd Bogaart has gotten to work and were sitting inside the top eight positions, to limit the damage in the overall standings, and ensuring their chances of holding onto the coveted red-plate into the next round of the world championship. The speed and prowess that has led them to the championship lead clearly on display, as every overtake was made with precision timing and world-class control, meaning they would lose minimal time when making their way through the field. The French champions of Killian / Evan Prunier would be inspired by the pace of Hermans / vd Bogaart, as they would pick off their opposition one-by-one, too.
Into the closing stages, and the Lielbardis had open track in front, with nothing to separate them from their first overall victory of the season, but a great effort from Keuben / Rietman would see them take their biggest points haul of the season, with a 1-2 finish to claim second position overall in the Latvian GP. The chequered flag waved frantically and, with great fanfare and delight, the Lielbardis took 25 points from race 2, with a clear margin over Keuben / Rietman, with Sanders / Vincent laying claim to a brilliant third position.
Result
Overall
Standings
