In Mechelen, the CSI5* riders just entered the arena for the first time today. While the Grand Prix is on the program later today, they were now jumping over a height of 1m45 directly against the clock.
The victory remained in Belgian hands. Wilm Vermeir immediately took off like a rocket with Linguini de la Pomme (by Marius Claudius). The duo took all the risks which resulted in a time to die for: 56.84 seconds. With this they even stayed ahead of the fast Frenchman Julien Epaillard. The number three of the world counted on Donatello (by Jarnac) to jump a clear round in 58.06 seconds. Koen Vereecke completed the podium. He was already in extremely good form this week with a victory in the Belgian indoor championships. The duo left the wood untouched and finished 59.01 seconds.
Thomas Ryan took fourth place with Karmel van de Watering (by Diamant de Semilly). The duo also jumped a clear round and stopped the chrono after 60.11 seconds. Edouard Schmitz completed the top five. For him it was exciting for a while as his Babylone Des Erables (by Chai D) hit the KBC style and the middle board fell to the ground. However, nothing was changed about the height or width of the obstacle so he still finished with a clean sheet.
Thibeau Spits and Juragold Bormes (by Contact vd Heffinck) followed in sixth place after a clear round in 60.44 seconds. Niels Bruynseels and Diornella-D (by Diamant de Semilly) took seventh place.