A heavyweight line up is on the starting grid for today’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Madrid with all to play for in the 2015 championship race. Bassem’s slim 7-point lead will come under intense pressure today in the increasingly ferocious battle to take over the No1 spot in the ranking. Click here for the complete ranking list. Talking ahead of the Grand Prix Bassem said: "Madrid is a very nice show, with many top riders interested in coming here with the big grass arena. I'm really happy to be here." The young Qatari star, leading on 66 points, will come under attack from second place Hans-Dieter Dreher of Germany on 59 points after his formidable performance in Antwerp last weekend. Brazil’s Doda de Miranda is in third on 42 points. Great Britain’s Scott Brash, winner of the stunning opening leg on Miami Beach, and Simon Delestre who won the Grand Prix in Antwerp, are both lurking threateningly on 40 points. There will be hot competition from other international stars high up on the early season ranking board including Edwina Tops-Alexander, Christian Ahlmann, Kent Farrington, Kevin Staut and Lauren Hough.
