De Luca and Zorzi on song at Doha

An all-star cast of eight out of the world’s top 10 riders are heading to Doha for this weekend’s climax of the 2017 Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League. Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders, who made history this year by taking the title at the penultimate event in Rome, does not fear any competition from Scott Brash, Eric Lamaze, Lorenzo De Luca, Gregory Wathelet, Kevin Staut, Peder Fredricson and Maikel van der Vleuten, all fighting for the final overall ranking podium. Other top riders competing in Doha include Simon Delestre, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Daniel Deusser, Marco Kutscher, Pieter Devos, Ben Maher, Bertram Allen, Laura Kraut, Martin Fuchs, Jerome Guery, Sergio Alvarez Moya, Evelina Tovek and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli. There will be a captivating battle for the final overall ranking places after a season of phenomenal Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix action across the world in stunning locations. With competition reaching new heights this year, the LGCT season has seen nail-biting split second finishes from the best horse and rider combinations who consistently compete at every event. As it was with Smolders, who clinched the title thanks to the win in Chantilly and an impressive row of good results. The Dutchman almost ended every round in the top ten, stepping up on the podium 4 times (second place in Hamburg, third place in Paris, top spot in Chantilly and second place in Rome which earned him the final win). Almost a computing strategy, not so much thrilling but effective. Lorenzo de Luca, in an interview with the journalists, said he will be giving everything to keep his second place in the overall LGCT championship ranking, as he considers the Global Champions Tour one of the best and most difficult circuits in the world. The Italian rider has totalled 260 points overall, with Christian Ahlmann (GER) just three points away on 257. Azzurri team-mate Alberto Zorzi is only a two-point whisker away on 255 points. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and two-time LGCT Champion Scott Brash (GBR), on 247 and 245 points respectively, will be formidable opponents in the final deciding LGCT Grand Prix of 2017. In the Global Champions League race to the finish line, teams are tactically fielding heavy-weight combinations for the final push for the overall ranking and season prize money. And from next season, spectacular play offs will be introduced in the new location of Prague, one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Back to this season’s final, Hamburg Diamonds and Valkenswaard United lock horns for the last time in 2017 after their intensive duel for the title crown saw them pull ahead of the pack on points. Other teams including Miami Glory, Paris Panthers, Mexico Amigos, St Tropez Pirates, London Knights, Doha Fursan Qatar, Rome Gladiators and Shanghai Swans will be jostling for an overall GCL Top 10 finish. The finals will play out on the grand stage of Al Shaqab in Doha, celebrating this year its 25th anniversary. The three day event from 9th to 11th November will include a special show for the anniversary.  www.globalchampionstour.com
press release 
photo: LGCT / Stefano Grasso