Building on the momentum of an already electric opening day, the class unfolded with intensity as the sport’s elite went head-to-head over a demanding track. But once again, it was Thomas and his trusted partner who rose above the field to be the only combination to finish sub 37 seconds, to secure back-to-back wins in one of the Tour’s most iconic venues.

 

Fresh off his day one win, Gilles and Chuck continued their winning streak. Speaking to GCTV after his win, Gilles said: “I think Shanghai suits me. This venue is incredible and allows us to perform at our best. Thanks to the crowd for pushing us in the jump off - it got quicker and quicker and was a super competitive class.”

 

Round one set the tone for a fiercely competitive class, where the tight time allowed proved just as influential as the fences themselves. Both Yuri Mansur and Lara Tryba delivered impressive clear rounds, yet each picked up two costly time faults. The pressure told on some of the sport’s biggest names, with Henrik von Eckermann, Denis Lynch and Emanuele Gaudiano all opting to retire. There was further drama at the tricky double off the corner, where Ben Maher and his new ride Aventador were caught out with two stops, resulting in elimination. So it was 16 through to the jump-off. 

 

How the jump off played out:

 

Setting the tone early, a composed clear from Nicola Philippaerts aboard H&M Que Sera stopped the clock in 38.95 seconds with 0 faults, immediately laying down the benchmark for the rest to chase. The next to go unraveled quickly as the first fence fell. A slower time of 43.06 seconds combined with 4 faults meant Philipp Weishaupt and Lady Concern du Rezidal couldn’t apply any pressure.

 

Raising the intensity, a sharper round saw Eduardo Alvarez Aznar take control with Genaro Paulois, producing a clear that was 0.47 seconds faster, stopping the clock in 38.48 seconds with 0 faults. Any chance of building momentum disappeared almost instantly for Andreas Schou, as the first fence came down with Billy Matador, he finished on 4 faults in 39.64 seconds, effectively ending the challenge early.

 

The pace lifted again midway through the class, with Victor Bettendorf surging ahead aboard Encore Toi du Linon. Already 0.63 seconds up at halfway, he powered home in 37.08 seconds with 0 faults to take a strong lead. Precision was lost at a crucial moment next, as the water tray fell for Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann riding My Lady Lavista. Crossing the line in 40.08 seconds with 4 faults, the podium slipped away.

 

An impressive approach came undone soon after, with the light plank falling and two more rails following for Efe Siyahi aboard Independent, they finished with 12 faults in 42.89 seconds after a costly round. A more measured effort followed, with a tidy clear from Niels Bruynseels and Origi vd Vosberg in 38.30 seconds, though not quick enough to threaten the lead.

All-in risk-taking defined the next round, slicing every corner and gaining time early. But the gamble didn’t pay off as the water tray fell, and further mistakes followed, leaving Christian Ahlmann and Vivario JL Z with 8 faults in 37.91 seconds.

 

Then came a defining moment - 0.32 seconds down at the split, but an electric finish turned the class on its head. A breathtaking rollback and final gallop saw Gilles Thomas and Chuck Marienshof Z storm home clear in 36.91 seconds, becoming the first to break the 37-second barrier and take the lead.

 

Pressure mounted as the next challenger came out 0.25 seconds up at halfway, but a slightly cautious run to the last fence meant Thibeau Spits and Jazzy des Dames crossed the line in 37.49 seconds with 0 faults, slotting into third for now. 

 

Still chasing, another clear followed, but being 0.35 seconds down at the split proved costly. Koen Vereecke and Oilily de Muze finished in 37.91 seconds, just off the leading pace. Momentum looked strong midway through the next round, sitting 0.31 seconds up on the clock, but a mistake at the penultimate fence dropped Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Claire 186 to 4 faults in 37.63 seconds.

 

A costly error in the middle of the arena ended hopes of a podium soon after, as the plank fell for Simon Delestre and Gatsby du Tillard, finishing in 38.55 seconds with 4 faults. It looked like a serious challenge was building next, sitting over a second ahead of the pace, but disaster struck at the double. Hans-Dieter Dreher and Cous Cous 3 finished with 8 faults in 38.69 seconds after the rails came down.

 

Closing out the class, one final attempt fell short as a rail mid-course denied any late upset. Marcus Ehning and Flower Girl completed in 40.45 seconds with 4 faults, confirming victory for Gilles Thomas.

 

With momentum firmly on his side, all eyes now turn to tomorrow’s highlight class - the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Shanghai. Set to begin at 13:45 local time, the battle for top honours promises another thrilling showdown as the world’s best go head-to-head once again. Fans around the globe can tune in live on GCTV to witness every moment unfold.