Simon Delestre wins GCT Antwerp Grand Prix

Simon Delestre has won the second leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour in Belgium.

Took a tumble

Eight out of the world’s top 10 riders were competing at the new Cockerill Quay venue, along the River Scheldt in Antwerp. But many fell at the first hurdle – figuratively speaking – although Switzerland’s Jane Richard Phillips took a tumble when Quister de Guldenboom put in a stop at fence eight.

World number one Scott Brash, who has been on unstoppable form recently, had one down in the first round with Hello M’Lady. Steve Guerdat, Penelope Leprevost, Eric Lamaze and Daniel Deusser all also had four faults.

Strong round

Ben Maher went clear in the first round, but had a rail down when Diva II got too close to the first part of the double, which put them in 12th place. Joe Clee had eight faults in round one.

Six riders made it through to the jump-off, with half going on to jump clear for the third time. After two strong rounds Sheikh Ali Al Thani of Qatar finished on 10 faults,while Christian Ahlmann and Egypt’s Karim El Zoghby both had one rail down.

Speed demon

Edwina Tops-Alexander and Lintea Tequila jumped the first clear in a time of 40.30sec, which was then beaten by Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher and Embassy II who jumped clear in 38.74sec.

Last to go was speed demon Simon Delestre riding Ryan Des Hayettes, who took almost a second off Hans-Dieter’s time to win the Grand Prix in a time of 37.96sec.

Watch the GCT Antwerp on H&C (Sky 253 and online via H&C Play) at the following times