Sachsenring, ICGP, icgpracing, race, bike, grand prix, motorcycle racing, racing, eric saul, eric, saul, riders, classic, classic grand prix, classic racing, classic bike, classic bikes, bikes, motorcycles
Sachsenring Germany
Sachsenring, ICGP, icgpracing, race, bike, grand prix, motorcycle racing, racing, eric saul, eric, saul, riders, classic, classic grand prix, classic racing, classic bike, classic bikes, bikes, motorcycles

The 3rd leg of the ICGP European Championship unfolded on the wonderful Sachsenring circuit.


Thursday morning everyone got settled, the paddock just big enough to accomodate all the riders, and the ICGP hospitality unit being next to the control tower.


Sachsenring, ICGP, icgpracing, race, bike, grand prix, motorcycle racing, racing, eric saul, eric, saul, riders, classic, classic grand prix, classic racing, classic bike, classic bikes, bikes, motorcycles

During the night, a storm will force the mechanics to come out in a hurry and hold on to the tents to prevent them from flying away, 20 minutes of mayhem and things calm down, a bit of damage: bent canopies, ripped tarps and a few bikes on the ground thankfully without any serious consequence.

Friday morning things get serious with a 20 minutes free practice, allowing the riders to familiarize themselves with this circuit, many discovering it for the first time.

The general feeling after the session is one of awe: one of the world's most beautiful circuit and a very technical one with blind turns and very fast curves.

Uncertain weather but practice on dry land with a threatening sky.

First Chrono practice friday afternoon and already a hierarchy is established.


350cc:

Mike Edwards who was on the circuit the previous week and who spent 3 days trying it out makes the lead with 1.335.227.

250cc:

It's the German Stefan Tennstadt on his home ground who leads in 1.40.775.

YC250:

Werner Reuberger follows Tennstadt closely with a tenth of a seconds' difference: 1.40.888.


The day ends under the sun and riders as well as mechanics unite under the ICGP canopy to celebrate Stefan Tennstadt's birthday, a great feast as well as a 50 litres keg of beer, courtesy of Stefan, will make every attendee's day.

Sachsenring, ICGP, icgpracing, race, bike, grand prix, motorcycle racing, racing, eric saul, eric, saul, riders, classic, classic grand prix, classic racing, classic bike, classic bikes, bikes, motorcycles

Saturday morning, second Chrono practice.


350cc:

If Mike Edwards strengthens his lead by a full second in 1.34.230, we have to wait 6th place to find the second 350cc, Guillaume Foureau's, the third 350cc being Leif Nielsen's in 9th position.

250cc:

It's surprisingly Don Gilbert on his 250 EXACTWELD who takes 2nd place on the grid only 3 seconds from the lead, like in GP of old. The third place on the grid is once more taken by Stefan Tennstadt's 250cc followed by two others: Reuberger's and Rogers'.


1st race starts at 12:45pm:


Mike Edwards makes the hole shot before Vincent Levieux on his 250 who manages a great start from 3rd row.

Don Gilbert and Jean Paul Lecointe join the fight for the lead, Don taking a slight advantage on the group stuck chasing Mike Edwards.

No one seems able to beat Mike Edwards, Don Gilbert is far ahead but his bike's chain breaks before the last lap, stealing a well deserved victory from him.

The Austrian Werner Reuberger falls heavily during acceleration in the last curve and unfortunately suffers from a malleolus fracture as well as a broken arm. Our thoughts are with him and we wish him a very prompt recovery.


350cc:

Logical victory of Mike Edwards in front of Jean Paul Lecointe and the Dane Leif Nielsen, who makes his first ICGP podium !!

250cc:

Vincent Levieux impose himself in front of Mark Rogers and Colin Sleigh, Championship leader.


Sunday morning Warm up at 8:00am, sun and clear weather which presages a

superb 2nd race directly transmitted on the German TV channel MDR:


Sunday morning 11:45am, the ICGP race unfolds under a wonderful sun and 48 000 spectators.

350cc:

Head start of Mike Edwards shadowed by Don Gilbert and Jean Paul Lecointe who had a great start.

Guillaume Foureau who couldn't take the first race's start because of a faulty seal base makes a great race and finishes third, climbing to the podium and to the third place on the Championship's provisional ranking.


250cc:

Don Gilbert takes second place overall and wins first place in 250cc, Colin Sleigh, second, reinforces his position as Championship leader followed by Stefan Tennstadt, third.

Fantastic best lap from Don Gilbert in 250cc with his Exactweld only 1.2 seconds away from Mike Edwards on Team Beale Roberts' BSR.


A noteworthy fall from Pascal Barette thankfully unharmed but his bike is completely trashed.


Rendez vous after vacation the 8/9/10th September on Rijeka circuit in Croatia for the 4th leg of the ICGP Chamionship.



Results:


Race 1:

350cc

  1. Mike Edwards
  2. Jean Paul Lecointe
  3. Leif Nielsen

    4. Best lap: Mike Edwards 1.35.621

250cc

  1. Vincent Levieux
  2. Mark Rogers
  3. Leif Nielsen

    4. Best lap: Don Gilbert 1.37.799


Race 2:

350cc

  1. Mike Edwards
  2. Jean Paul Lecointe
  3. Guillaume Foureau

    4. Best lap: Mike Edwards 1.35.993

250cc

  1. Don Gilbert
  2. Colin Sleigh
  3. Stefan Tennstadt

    4. Best lap: Don Gilbert 1.37.165

Podium race 1

Podium race 2