Flattrack of Nations 2009

23 august 2009

Team Switzerland wins flat track of nations 2009!

The grippy dirt track of Heidenreichstein with its long straights and tight bends produced another day of extremely close and spectacular racing!
Title favorites this year was team Italy. Marco Belli was still out of action but they pulled a joker with short track veteran Andreotti Massimiliano to team up with Dario Magnoni and Luca Talamona! Team Germany looked strong too with both the Gatzenmeier brothers teaming up with Franz Strohhammer. Team Holland saw the return of Mick Jansen but was weakened after regulars had to pull out last minute.
During the qualifying heats Italy showed its strength and consistency and it looked sure they would make the final. Behind them it was all mixed and open and the riders were giving everything for their team to make the final! On several occasions the battles caused some hot discussions in the pits!! But referee Martin Tauber kept cool and calmed things down.
There were several restarts due to crashes but luckily nobody was hurt. And then it was counting time. everybody was anxious to hear who made the final! Team Italy on pole, followed by the underdog team Switzerland, then team Germany and team Bavaria. 15 laps for the final! Who will last the distance? Jan-Willem Jansen made the hole shot for team Switzerland. a few laps underway then Luca Talamona's engine stopped. Team Italy lost an important point scorer! Also tragady for team Germany with Florian Gatzenmeier's engine failure. Then Alex Nöbauer crashed for team Bavaria on lap 9. An inline restart entertained the spectators! Then Dario Magnoni suffered engine trouble. It was smoking white and blue and made strange noises but he kept going! Disaster for the title favorites as Magnoni was losing valuable points in the closing stages! Then the leaders caught up and started lapping. A last lap battle between team Bavaria and team Switzerland! Jan-Willem Jansen crossed the line first but which team scored the winning points? 21 points, 4th place team Germany. 24 points, 3rd place team Italy. 30 points, 2nd place team Bavaria! 38 points, team Switzerland wins flat track of nations 2009!

next events:
5 September, Tomicek´s memorial race, Prague
6 September, round 5 International Mefo Sport Flattrack Cup, Heusden-Zolder (B).
3 October, flat track school with Chris Carr, Zuidbroek (NL)