The second round of the FIM Sand Races World Championship at Bibione, Italy, showed the difference between winning a weekend and leading a season. Belgium’s Cyril Genot won Sunday’s Moto race and took the round overall. Norway’s Håkon Fredriksen finished second overall yet increased his championship lead. Genot had failed to finish the opening round in Morocco, so his Italian victory did not put him at the top of the series standings.
Fredriksen led for much of Sunday’s race while Genot remained close behind. After nine laps the Belgian moved ahead, the Norwegian retook the lead, and a later fall changed the order once more. Genot crossed the line almost 38 seconds clear. Deepening ruts and a shifting sandy course meant riders had to keep revising their line; outright pace alone was not enough.
In Moto Women, France’s Mathilde Martinez was second on Saturday and won on Sunday after Italian rider Kiara Fontanesi retired with a suspected mechanical issue. Martinez remained well placed in the season contest. The championship is scheduled to continue at Loon-Plage in France on 7–8 November, where the Bibione results provide the starting point for another close fight.