Henrik von Eckermann’s smile told the story before the scoreboard confirmed it. The Swedish star and his Istanbul Warriors teammates had just snatched a famous win in the GCL of Riesenbeck, their second triumph of the season and they did it by a heart-stopping 10-second margin that left the packed German crowd gasping.
The afternoon had begun with tension and noise. Fans at Riesenbeck International rode every jump with their home favourites, desperate for a long-awaited victory. But it was the trio of von Eckermann, Simon Delestre, and Turkey’s Hasan Senturk who walked away with the glory, proving once again that the Istanbul Warriors thrive under pressure.
Seconds Decide the Podium
Three teams ended the two-round battle on 8 faults, leaving only time to split the places. Istanbul Warriors stopped the clock in a blistering 150.12 seconds after Delestre and von Eckermann both delivered nerveless clears in Round 2.
That performance crushed the hopes of the home squad, Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym, who had thrilled the crowd with faultless rides from Christian Kukuk and Max Weishaupt on the promising nine-year-old Kokomo B. Their 160.95-second tally was fast, but not fast enough to keep the Warriors at bay.
The Prague Lions, fielding only two riders, showed grit and efficiency to secure third, thanks to classy performances from Fernando Martinez Sommer and Niels Bruynseels.
Von Eckermann’s Homecoming
For von Eckermann, a former Beerbaum Stables rider, the victory carried extra resonance. “Having spent 13 years here it really feels like coming home,” he said, still flushed with adrenaline. He explained that the result wasn’t down to chasing speed, but balance. “It’s not about riding fast, it’s about keeping the rhythm. Today it worked perfectly.”
Simon Delestre echoed the optimism, admitting the team has endured patches of bad luck this season but now feels momentum building toward the GC Prague Playoffs. “Everything is possible,” he said with a grin.
Riesenbeck’s Brave Effort
If defeat stung, the home team still savoured progress. Weishaupt’s Kokomo B, tackling his first 1.60m course, rose magnificently to the challenge. “He was really fighting for me today,” said a proud Weishaupt, as he and Kukuk accepted their silver sashes with wide smiles.
Kukuk added: “It could be worse! Of course, we want to win here one day, but today we are really pleased with second.”
A Championship Tightening by the Day
Beyond the podium, the Riesenbeck round reshaped the season’s bigger picture. Valkenswaard United remain in front with 231 points, but their margin is narrowing. Shanghai Swans (218), Cannes Stars (217), and Prague Lions (193) all lurk within striking distance.
Cannes Stars’ Katrin Eckermann kept the German fans roaring with a flawless clear, but teammate Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann’s two rails dropped them from contention and sealed the Warriors’ win.
Elsewhere, Scandinavian Vikings and Basel Cosmopolitans stayed competitive but couldn’t match the leaders, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
With New York hosting the next stage from September 19–21, the GCL championship fight is alive and crackling with suspense.
Read more exclusive coverage on RaceBuzz.
