The host track in Creazo was Manuel DeVecchi’s home track – which had Italy’s one and only BMX Olympian excited. “I have to admit that I didn't expect a race so difficult in my home track,” said Redline sponsored DeVecchi. “It was a war, trying to make it to the finals.”
France’s BMX Olympian – Damien Godet, was impressed and pleased with the Creazzo course. “In Italy, (we were) at DeVecchi's track for rounds 5 & 6 of the Euro champs. The track was very technical, with two pro sections down the second and third straights. It was a little bit steep but I really liked it. This race was very good preparation for the Supercross in Denmark, with those pro sections and tight races!”
SATURDAY: On Day one, half of the main event was reserved for Redline-sponsored riders – three of Dutch’s finest and our favorite Frenchman. Despite having half the gate full of Redline bikes, none of the Global team were able to catch the speedy-quick South African - Nhlapo. “On Saturday, I took a good 5th spot in the main,” France’s Damien Godet told us. Dutch's MARTIJN SCHERPEN scored the best of all Flight bikes, and found himself on the third rung of the Podium.
Saturday
ELITE MEN: 1. Sifiso NHLAPO (So. Africa) 2. Arnaud DUBOIS (BEL), 3. Martijn SCHERPEN (NETHERLANDS-REDLINE) 4. Roy VAN DEN BERG (NETHERLANDS-REDLINE) 5. Damien GODET (FRANCE-REDLINE) 6. Rob VAN DEN WILDENBERG (NETHERLANDS-REDLINE) 7. Mathieu DESPEAUX (FRA) 8. Jordy VAN DER HEIJDEN (Ned)
In JUNIOR ELITE, though - it was a Redline rider in a more familiar position ... out front. Norway's ANDRE FOSSA - our REDLINE-supported rider through Ken Meland's RACING DEPOT, proved to the World that he's a contender to be reckoned with for the Junior title at this years' World Champs in Australia. And without NL's Jelle van Gorkum, Fossa took the Saturday win with virtual ease. Day two, would be a different story though.
JUNIOR MEN: 1. Andre Fossa AGUILUZ (NORWAY-REDLINE) 2. PICKARD Kurt (NZE), 3. BRETHAUER Luis (GER), 4. BLANC Renaud (FRA), 5. VAN GENDT Twan (NED), 6. MANTION Remi (FRA), 7. BACHELARD Benjamin (FRA), 8. LAJMI Jordan (FRA)
SUNDAY: Being as this was Italy, there was one pro in particular who the Italian crowd wanted to see win on Sunday - Redline's hometown track MANUEL DeVECCHI. Just making it to the main had been a tremendous feat for the Italian Stallion. "My starts were a bit better but still not the best," DeVecchi admits. "I had again to ride from the back and try some place where to pass. In my semi, I went on the inside of the first corner, and I closed Cayleron and I went in to the 5th position. Then I had Dubois in front of me and I pushed hard in the pro-section to reach him. In the second corner I took the inside to overtake him. I only had other 2 straights left - the technical parts, and I was 4th, with Godet and Dubois behind him. I did all jumps perfectly and went to take Van Der Putten in the last corner. I overtook him from the outside and I took third in the semi to make the final."
As the Elite Mens main event lined up for day two's action, it was again lookin' good for REDLINE's Global guys. This time with 5 out of 8 aboard Flight bikes, all eyes of the packed sidelines were anxiously awaiting to see if someone would be able to beat the so-far unbeatable South African Olympian Sifiso Nhlapo. Now in the main, DeVecchi was feeling the pressure of performing in front of his fellow Countrymen. “In the main, I was pumped up and wanted to do all my best! I was in lane 6 - between Sifiso (No..3 in the World) and Hamon (No.6 in BMX and World Champion in cruiser). I knew that it wouldn't be easy to start in front of them but I tried. Again a bad start! Another recovery race. In the first corner, I couldn't take the inside line and I chose the outside, pedaling as strong as I could to do the pro section very low. I overtook Van Der Wildenberg and I went out from the second corner in 5th position. Now I had Hamon in front of me and I felt confident that I could take him. I did a very good third straight and entered in the last corner with the knee on the asphalt, setting me up to over take him on the final whoops! 4th on the finish line - with three Dutch in front of me, all chasing down Nhlapo.”
Sunday
ELITE MEN: 1. Sifiso NHLAPO (So. Africa) 2. Martijn SCHERPEN Martijn (NETHERLANDS-REDLINE) 3. Raymon VAN DER BIEZEN (NETHERLANDS-REDLINE) 4. Manuel DE VECCHI (ITALY-REDLINE) 5. Thomas HAMON (FRA) 6. Edzus TREIMANIS (LAT) 7. Ivo VAN DER PUTTEN (NETHERLANDS-REDLINE) 8. Rob VAN DEN WILDENBERG (NETHERLANDS-REDLINE)
In Junior Elite, Jelle van Gorkum was in the final this time around and everybody knew he'd be the guy to watch. Day one's winner - ANDRE FOSSA, was right in the hunt from the get-go, and stuck to Jelle's back knobbies throughout most of the race. After throwing some 'bows with a Swiss rider, Fossa was battling to hold on to second place when suddenly - Van Gorkum came up short on the last straight rhythm and self imploded all by himself. Redline-Norway's Fossa reacted in a split second to dodge the bullet, and narrowly escaped the Crupi carnage to get past - side-saddling it to the finishline and capturing yet another Jr.Elite victory in Italy.
JUNIOR MEN: 1. Andre Fossa AGUILUZ (NORWAY-REDLINE) 2. ANDRE Sylvain (FRA) 3. BLANC Renaud (SUI) 4. MARTINEZ Lorin (FRA) 5. VAN GENDT Twan (NED) 6. PICKARD Kurt (NZL) 7. BACHELARD Benjamin (FRA) 8. VAN GORKOM Jelle (NED)
In Juinior Elite Women, The Netherland's new girl-to-be-rekoned-with MERLE VanBERTHEM did it again, with her usual Dutch domination. As the current points leader on the Euro Series, definitely keep an eye out for Merle at the Aussie World Champs. Dutch Coach Bas de Bever is molding her in to the Netherland's best Olympic hopeful for 2012.
JUNIOR WOMEN: 1. Merle VAN BENTHEM (NETHERLANDS-REDLINE) 2. ALEKSEJEVA Sandra (LAT) 3. HEREIJGERS Maartje (NED) 4. VANHOOF Elke (BEL) 5. MEERHOLZ Tessa (NED) 6. JEPSEN Mette (DEN) 7. MEYRAN Camille (FRA) 8. BROUSSE Cassandre (FRA)
Manuel summed up the feeling for all of the Redline Global team: “It was really a great race! I enjoyed very much! To ride in Italy with the Italian spectators was incredible! There were many, loud and hot, all for me! Really, an amazing feeling!”