Team Ireland place a gritted and determined eighth overall at a wild and wet 41ST edition of the prestigious Coupe De L’Avenir team event in Nismes, Belgium…
The 41st running of the Coupe de l’Avenir in Belgium was forced to move from their recent home at Angreau, to another ex Grand Prix and Motocross of Nations venue at Nismes in southern Belgium.
This move, coupled with the proximity to the Motocross of Nations the previous week seemed to affect the entry, down to only 10 teams, and the crowd, and the atmosphere was certainly lacking from the old venue.
However, after a leisurely drive from Brussels, including lunch at the cafe on the Namur Esplanade, and a walk round the old GP track, we arrived at our home for the weekend, a chalet in an outdoor pursuits complex near Dinant, costing us £14 per night, great wee spot, I can recommend it.
Team Ireland at the Coupe de L'Avenir
Saturday dawned a lovely Autumn day, until about eleven, then the heavens opened, the local riders struggled round their Club Championship track, as conditions got worse and worse, qualifying was abandoned and lots drawn for Sunday.
It rained all night, but Sunday was beautiful and the organisers, to their credit, worked hard on the track to ensure racing went ahead.
The programme was cut by eliminating the twin shock racing, and leaving two races each for the Under 21’s and 85’s, and the Belgian Sidecar Championship round, which normally attracts 25-30 entries, this year only had 11.
The 85’s were out first, and Team Ireland got off to a great start, but the conditions were terrible, and goggles were off after half a lap. Various falls, stops for goggles and gloves etc., made following the race a nightmare, but David Galvin, Josh Beausang, and James Mackerel fought through to finish.
Race 2 was run in better conditions, and the lads certainly looked more confident on the bikes, but faced stiff competition from the Continental teams, the speed of some of these kids, regular European Championship runners was phenomenal, particularly the Dutch riders.
The 85 Class was won by Netherlands on 25 points, France second with 31 points and Belgium third on 51 points, the big spread demonstrating how much of a lottery the first race was.
Team Ireland finished 10th.
Individual honours went to young Finn, managed by Jussi Vehvelainin, Kim Savaste, with pre event favourite Dutchman Davy Pootjes second.
The U21 race was run in heavy conditions too, with stops again being a feature for all the teams, Jim O’Neill and Ryan Adair were running particularly well with O’Neill finishing 12th, but Ryan’s bike stopped on the last lap while lying 15th, he was credited with 24th despite this.
Race 2 saw the Irish lads battled with a tough track, huge rocks and stones appearing, and tiredness after completing a long 30 minute moto, with all of them just missing out on a top twenty result. Aaron Beausang finishing 21st, Ryan Adair pressing on bravely after a nasty fall, and Jim O’Neill’s mechanical issue.
The event was won by Belgium on 18 points, with defending Champions France second on 31, and Netherlands third on 33.
Team Ireland finished 8th.
Individual honours went to Yerki Janvier of Belgium who was imperious on a 450 Yamaha, with his team mate Damon Graulus second and Benoit Paturel from France third.
All six Irish riders rode as fast as they could in very difficult conditions, and showed tremendous heart in finishing every race, hopefully they will look on this as a learning experience and come back stronger at home, and maybe here next year too.