Valkenswaard United-Hamburg Diamonds head-to-head in Doha

The doors have finally opened at Al Shaqab Doha, with the opening of the competition the CSI5 * which was won by Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten on Verdi TN immediately taking the spotlight by winning the 1.50m / 1.55m category which is valid as the first match in the team tournament, at the end of a fierce race of competition that also saw Belgian’s Gregory Wathelet on Forlap and Brazilian Eduardo Menezes on Galip.
It was a wonderful preview of the agility that breathes in Doha ahead of the grand final of the season, the Longines Global Champions Tour, for which with title already assigned to the Dutch rider Harrie Smolders but Italians Lorenzo De Luca (current number 2 in the LGCT ranking and Alberto Zorzi, who follows him in fourth place) are in the chase for a podium place.
Uliano Vezzani prepared a course consisting of 13 hurdles placed at a height of 1.55m that tested the abilities of each of the 18 teams in the field, a test that did not allow a drop in tension or concentration.
This first round in the Global Champions League team event concluded with  Mexico Amigos in pole position but ended Hamburg Diamonds (295 points) top followed by Valkenswaard United (278).
In the first round Alberto Zorzi and Irish rider Bertram Allen kept alive United’s chance to win with two clears for second place in the partial rankings behind Mexico Amigos that had a remarkable round; particularly inspired by Swedish riders Henrik von Eckermann with Chacannon along with the talented under 25 Evelina Tovek on Castle, both finishing in the top 10 positions of the individual standings.
For the Diamonds were in an advantageous situation with 17 points higher than their direct rivals Valkenswaard United, and had Canadian Eric Lamaze on Fine Lady 5 and Harrie Smolders. The Diamonds have so far managed to retain their advantage over United, but everything will be decided on Saturday with the second and decisive round.
There was also a win for Brazilian Marlon Modolo Zanotelli in the double round 1.45m on Extra van Essene.
Second in the LGCT 2017 was Harrie Smolders on Zinius, with the Swede Henrik von Eckermann on Cantinero third.
As for the Azzurri riders, 14th for Alberto Zorzi on Viceversa de la Roque and 20th for Lorenzo De Luca on Ensor de Litrange with one penalty.www.longinestiming.comwww.globalchampionsleague.comphoto: Stefano Grasso / GCLpress release