It remained exciting right to the end: Twelve teams competed in the semi-finals in Riyadh on Thursday evening for a place in the final of the six best teams in the GCL Supercup. Each team of three riders competed against each other.
After their victory after three flawless rounds in the quarterfinals the day before, the Shanghai Swans also performed superbly in the semifinals. Ben Maher started with Point Break (v Action Breaker) and another 0-round. For the first time in this tournament, Christian Ahlmann and Mandato van de Neerheide (v. Emerald) started for the team and came in with a net roller. The second zero round for the Shanghai Swans was also secured on Thursday by Daniel Deusser and his killer Queen VDM (v. Eldorado vd Zeshoek).
A little slower, but also only four penalty points were recorded at the end of the event for the defending title holders Riesenbeck International. Christian Kukuk and Chageorge (v. Chacco-Blue) showed a great round of flawless riding in the opening stages. Also Philipp Schulze Topphoff and his Carla NRW (v. Comme il Faut) were very impressive, until the final obstacle fell. Last rider Eoin McMahon and Mila (v. Monte Bellini) secured second place for the team with another flawless round, much to the delight of team boss Ludger Beerbaum.
The overall winners of the 2024 GCL season, Cannes Stares powered by Iron Dames, made things exciting: After a flawless start by Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Singclair (v. Singular LS la Silla), two poles fell to Natalie Dean and her eager mare Actota M (v. Toulon). Katrin Eckermann and her Iron Dames Cala Mandia NRW (v. Capistrano) also came to the finish with a fall. With just twelve penalty points, they managed to finish sixth and thus qualify for the final. The team from Valkenswaard United was in trouble. Edwina Tops-Alexander, Marcus Ehning and Gilles Thomas also came to the finish with 12 penalty points, but were somewhat slower than the Cannes Stars and thus out of the race for the Super Cup.
Also participating in the final on Saturday are the Shanghai Swans, Riesenbeck International and the Cannes Stars, as well as the Stockholm Hearts, the Prague Lions and the Scandinavian Vikings.
The whole result: HERE