Image: GCL Teams
As the debut Global Champions League season gallops towards the finale, the fight for the overall championship ranking could not be closer. With a wafer-thin 1.5 points between the top two ranked teams Valkenswaard United (279.5 points) and Antwerp Diamonds (278 points), and just a further 3.5 points for third place team Monaco Aces (274.5 points) it’s set to be a spell-binding competition in the iconic destination of Rome.
Current leaders Valkenswaard United will step up the pressure on the shoulders of its young talents, Bertram Allen (IRL) and Emily Moffitt (USA). However with both already proving to be hugely successful on the League and with a proven track record of jumping double clear this season so far, all eyes will be on the Ranking Leaders as they look to keep hold of the hotly contested lead.
Closest rivals Antwerp Diamonds will bring out the big guns, with the formidable combination of Harrie Smolders (NED) and Jos Verlooy (BEL). With the pair training together since Jos was three years old, the Antwerp Diamonds team know each other inside out, and will be looking to utilise their knowledge of each others’ strengths to propel them into the lead. Star striker Harrie - who is the top all-round performer so far in the League - will also be looking to use his knowledge of compatriots Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and Leopold van Asten (NED) of the Monaco Aces to his team’s advantage, to further extend their lead from the red, white and black team.
Home team Rome Gladiators will field the GCL Madrid winning combination of Laura Kraut (USA) and Laura Renwick (GBR). The pair, who stormed to the win at the fifth leg of the Championship, look to be a force to be reckoned with and will be sure to raise cheers from the local crowd as the battle plays out in the natural amphitheatre of Stadio dei Marmi.
Ringed by 59 marble statues depicting different Olympic sports, the stunning arena will present the perfect backdrop to the 13th leg of the Global Champions League debut championship. Kicking off at 15:10 local time, the top level competition will see many world class combinations uniting to do battle in the heart of Italy.
Paris Jets will see heavy-weight Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) provide the anchor for the team once more, with new team member, Olympic 2012 Bronze Medallist Kamal Bahamdan (KSA), taking centre stage following the transfer window period. Cannes Stars will field the ever-efficient Marco Kutscher (GER) alongside young star Kevin Jochems (NED), with the pairing the perfect mix of experience and talent. Also new to the League will be Shanghai Swans’ Samantha McIntosh (NZL), who will debut in Rome alongside young talent Alexandra Thornton (GBR). Madrid in Motion’s latest addition, Alberto Zorzi (ITA), will be looking to repeat his win in Valkenswaard, this time teaming up with fellow young rider Gonzalo Anon Suarez, with the pair combining for the first time.
Miami Glory will field young star Jessica Mendoza (GBR), with the U25 talent teaming up with Kimberly Prince (USA), and Doha Fursan Qatar will see two of its Olympic team in action with Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) and Faleh Al Ajami (QAT) pulling out all the stops for the team this weekend. Casais Charms welcomes back David Will (GER) and will see an all-German team as he competes with compatriot Philip Houston (GER), and finally the Vienna Eagles will compete with Cascais winning Danielle Goldstein (ISR) and Paris Sellon (USA).
To check out the full rider list for the Global Champions League of Rome, please click here.
