After the first day of the Coupe De l’Avenir team GP can hold their heads up high in all three classes. The first day was all about qualification for the big races tomorrow and that all important gate pick.

In the 65s, Wal Beaney gated second and from then on closed on the leader, Belgium’s Sacha Coenen. He took the lead and the win with just three laps of the ten minute and to lap race to go.

Ben Mustoe and Finley Evens backed up Beaney’s win with a thirteenth and fourteenth meaning team GB get fourth gate pick for the 65s big races.

Bobby Bruce gated well for team GB in the 85s and chased French rider Florian Miot and Estonian David Braceras home for third while his team mates Charlie Hayman suffered from a bad start and Louie Kessell pulled out of the race after a crash hurting his wrist. The UK team’s 85s will get ninth gate pick.

As the riders went into the first turn at the start of the open class qualification race, both Liam Knight and Josh Gilbert were well in the mix as the Estonian pair of Karel Kutsar and Hardi Roosiorg set the early pace.

Home favorited Jogo Geerts stormed through the pack to pass both Estonian leaders to take the class win while Knight and Gilbert came home in fifth and sixth giving the team second gate pick come race day.

Words and pics by Dick Law