As the third and final Longines Global Champions Tour Championship contender, Harrie Smolders is without doubt the most consistent of the trio in terms of his performances throughout the year.
From a staggering four consecutive podiums, 9 LGCT Grand Prix starts for 4 double clears, with an impressive 3 horses contributing to his Championship points tally, it isn’t hard to see why he is wearing the leader’s armband heading into the Final showdown this week in Riyadh.
Aside from his stellar consistency throughout the year, the certain standout performance was aboard Uricas v.d. Kattevennen - taking the win in the LGCT Grand Prix of Riesenbeck. That, coupled with podium finishes in Monaco, A Coruna, and London, aboard Monaco N.O.P, Smolders shot to the top of the Championship leaderboard and into contention or the most coveted win of the season.
Heading into the Championship Final, Smolders holds the lead ahead of fellow countryman Maikel Van Der Vleuten by 14 points, and 16.5 ahead of Henrik Von Eckermann. Having won the Longines Global Champions Tour Championship in 2017, the question on everyone’s lips is, can Smolders steal the show and make it a Championship double?
LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
AHEAD OF STAGE 15 & THE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
1st Place, Harrie Smolders - 252 Points
2nd Place, Maikel Van Der Vleuten - 238 Points
3rd Place, Henrik Von Eckermann - 235.50 Points