LaCapelle, France – French trotting star Davidson du Pont with Nicolas Bazire in the bike won a leg in the trotting series, Challenge du Trot à Grande Vitesse at the track at La Capelle – a track, situated close to the Belgium border.

However, Davidson du Pont and Bazire was not a popular winner, as they interfered with the favorite, Ce Bello Romain with Antony Barrier immediately after the race was started.

Davidson du Pont wins with Nicolas Bazire in the bike in France. Photo by Gerard Forni. 

Ce Bello Romain went off stride, and though he found back into trotting, he was never able to fight for the victory and finished seventh.

Davidson du Pont was able to hold off Violetto Jet with Franck Nivard to win in a new track record of 1.51.3m

The purse for the winner was 48.000 dollars.

At the Jarlsberg track in Norway, the Ulf Thoresen Grand International was the main event and the race was won by the outsider, Hickothepooh with Vidar Hop with a head followed by Moni Viking with Björn Goop.

This was the second year in a row that Vidar Hop won this race – last year he was behind Ble du Gers, who today had Per Oleg Midtfjeld in the bike. However, Ble du Gers went off stride shortly before the finish line as third but was disqualified and placed last.