Fasten your seatbelts and brace for impact! The Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team have entered the 2025 GCL arena with a bold new look and an electrifying roster as the second team of 2025 is announced with Henrik von Eckermann & Simon Delestre joining!
The 2025 season sees the Warriors make some of the biggest moves in GCL history, securing top-tier talent to cement their status as serious title contenders. They don’t follow the game, they are changing it and pushing boundaries to rewrite the script for GCL.
Team owner, manager and rider Efe Siyahi spoke about his new lineup: “I am very excited for the upcoming season with our new team. We have signed new transfers that make us very strong. Having managed to secure the world number one, Henrik von Eckermann, and one of the fastest French riders, Simon Delestre, we are super pleased to have these two fast riders in combination with Abdel. We also have a new U25 bringing the Gold Medallist from the Young Riders, Oliver Fletcher, onto the team. We have extremely strong names and have already started to make our plan for the first half of the season.”
World number one Henrik von Eckermann reiterated Efe’s point explaining: “I am excited for the new season with a new team, we have a strong squad so I am looking forward to getting started and hopefully producing some strong results.”
Meet the Warriors gearing up for battle:
- Henrik von Eckermann (SWE): Formerly with the Scandinavian Vikings, Henrik is has been acquired by Istanbul in one of the biggest team transfers over the winter period.
- Simon Delestre (FRA): Fresh from the Doha Falcons, new signing Simon is a deadly weapon in any showdown.
- Abdel Saïd (BEL): Back for another year Abdel is a returning force who knows how to deliver when it matters most.
- Hasan Senturk (TUR): A crucial pillar of the squad, Hasan embodies the grit and passion that define the Warriors' spirit.
- Efe Siyahi (TUR): Team owner, manager and rider, Efe's ability to adapt and outthink the competition makes him a key component in the team’s tactical playbook.
- Oliver Fletcher (GBR) [U25]: Bringing youth, speed, and a fearless approach swapping from Monaco Aces, Oliver is set to light up the league.
One of the team anchors Abdel Saïd smiled: “We have an exceptionally strong team with Henrik von Eckermann and Simon Deletre coming on board. We are all excited to work very hard together to achieve some really good results. I would also like to take this moment to thank Efe and the Carpe Diem Equestrian Team for their support over the last few years. We have grown a lot together as a team and our understanding of what needs to happen to hopefully keep improving and keep moving up the leader board this season.”
While Simon Delestre added: “I’m really excited to join Istanbul Warriors this season, I think we have an amazing team and really looking forward to starting the year strong!”
The 2025 season sees the Warriors make some of the biggest moves in GCL history, securing top-tier talent to cement their status as serious title contenders. They don’t follow the game, they are changing it and pushing boundaries to rewrite the script for GCL.
Team owner, manager and rider Efe Siyahi spoke about his new lineup: “I am very excited for the upcoming season with our new team. We have signed new transfers that make us very strong. Having managed to secure the world number one, Henrik von Eckermann, and one of the fastest French riders, Simon Delestre, we are super pleased to have these two fast riders in combination with Abdel. We also have a new U25 bringing the Gold Medallist from the Young Riders, Oliver Fletcher, onto the team. We have extremely strong names and have already started to make our plan for the first half of the season.”
World number one Henrik von Eckermann reiterated Efe’s point explaining: “I am excited for the new season with a new team, we have a strong squad so I am looking forward to getting started and hopefully producing some strong results.”
Meet the Warriors gearing up for battle:
- Henrik von Eckermann (SWE): Formerly with the Scandinavian Vikings, Henrik is has been acquired by Istanbul in one of the biggest team transfers over the winter period.
- Simon Delestre (FRA): Fresh from the Doha Falcons, new signing Simon is a deadly weapon in any showdown.
- Abdel Saïd (BEL): Back for another year Abdel is a returning force who knows how to deliver when it matters most.
- Hasan Senturk (TUR): A crucial pillar of the squad, Hasan embodies the grit and passion that define the Warriors' spirit.
- Efe Siyahi (TUR): Team owner, manager and rider, Efe's ability to adapt and outthink the competition makes him a key component in the team’s tactical playbook.
- Oliver Fletcher (GBR) [U25]: Bringing youth, speed, and a fearless approach swapping from Monaco Aces, Oliver is set to light up the league.
One of the team anchors Abdel Saïd smiled: “We have an exceptionally strong team with Henrik von Eckermann and Simon Deletre coming on board. We are all excited to work very hard together to achieve some really good results. I would also like to take this moment to thank Efe and the Carpe Diem Equestrian Team for their support over the last few years. We have grown a lot together as a team and our understanding of what needs to happen to hopefully keep improving and keep moving up the leader board this season.”
While Simon Delestre added: “I’m really excited to join Istanbul Warriors this season, I think we have an amazing team and really looking forward to starting the year strong!”