Longines GCT set for exciting finale after Marcus Ehning wins penultimate round in Vienna

Riding Comme Il Faut, Ehning won in emphatic style ahead of compatriot Janne-Friederike Meyer who claimed runners-up and France’s Simon Delestre in third place after an 11 horse and rider jump-off competition.

On a night full of tension in the Austrian capital, Sweden’s Rolf-Göran Bengtsson also missed the opportunity to win the overall title. The Swede needed to finish first or second to claim the crown ahead of his closest rival Edwina Tops-Alexander of Australia, however by only finishing tenth it means the 2016 title race goes to the final round in Doha, Qatar, in November to decide the winner.

Frank Rothenberger’s first round course in Vienna was all about power and speed with a gigantic test under floodlights in the sand arena. Bengtsson and Casall ASK jumped clear and within the time allowed as did Tops-Alexander on Caretina de Joter. However the Australian incurred a time penalty and had a nail-biting wait to see if she was in the top 18 qualified for Round 2.

As many big names such as Germany’s Marco Kutscher, Daniel Deusser and Ludger Beerbaum, Great Britain’s, John Whitaker, The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders and Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano all incurred faults to move out of contention, her place in a star-studded line up of 18 riders qualified for the second round was confirmed.

The second round proved another challenging test for those riders remaining. Tops-Alexander was first to go and put in a careful clear round, however again picked up another time fault leaving her with a tally of two. As the round unfolded, faults were picked up throughout the course with Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Great Britain’s Scott Brash just two of the names to drop out with poles down.

Bengtsson however raised the pressure once more by jumping clear as 11 riders in total went through to the jump off. First to go was Delestre who with Chesall set the benchmark by stopping the clock at 40.18 seconds.

The Netherland’s Maikel van der Vleuten on VDL Groep Arera C produced a clear round but the time of 40.64 seconds was just short, as was Portugal’s Luciana Diniz (on Winningmood) in 41.42 seconds and USA’s Lauren Hough (on Cornet 39) in 42.75 seconds

Delestre’s compatriot, Kevin Staut, and Colombia’s Daniel Bluman both put in quick times but brought down the final pole to see their chances evaporate.

However Meyer and Goja did go clear and just beat Delestre’s time with their faultless round coming in a time of 39.68 seconds.

Instead it was left to Ehning and Comme Il Faut. As the penultimate pairing to go, they powered to a clear round in 38.67 seconds which put them into the lead and ultimately secured the German’s second LGCT success of the season and his second win in Vienna.

Swiss watchmaker Longines are the proud Title Partner and the Official Timekeeper of the Longines Global Champions Tour and presented Ehning with a watch to celebrate his victory.

All eyes now turn to Doha from 3 to 5 November for the final round of action in the 2016 season. It is here this year’s overall champion will be decided in what promises to be a nail-biting finale as with only five points separating the top two contenders, Tops-Alexander’s hopes for a historic third title remain very much alive whilst Bengtsson’s dream of winning the LGCT crown is still within reach.

Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna
Result

1 Comme II Faut Marcus Ehning Germany 0/ 38.67 seconds
2 Goja Janne Friederike Meyer Germany 0/ 39.68
3 Chesall Zimequest Simon Delestre France 0/ 40.18
4 VDL Groep Arera C Maikel van der Vleuten Netherlands 0/ 40.64
5 Winningmood Luciana Diniz Portugal 0/ 41.42
6 Cornet 39 Lauren Hough USA 0/ 42.75
7 Estoy Aqui de Muze HDC Kevin Staut France 4/ 38.75
8 Apardi Daniel Bluman Colombia 4/ 39.27
9 Dieudonne de Guldenboom Jane Richard Philips Switzerland 4/ 39.54
10 Casall ASK Rolf-Göran Bengtsson Sweden 6/ 51.04
11 New York Jack Towell USA 8/ 44.12

Longines Global Champions Tour 2016
Overall standings after leg 14 – Vienna, Austria

1. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson Sweden 272 points
2. Edwina Tops-Alexander Australia 267
3. Christian Ahlmann Germany 232
4. Bertram Allen Ireland 221
5. Simon Delestre France 204
6. Harrie Smolders The Netherlands 200
7. Daniel Bluman Colombia 195
8. Ludger Beerbaum Germany 194
9. Kevin Staut France 192
10. Olivier Philippaerts Belgium 160