Aduard: The magnificent Romano Hummel became European Champion on his home track

The Stichting Grasbaan Aduard demonstrated this Saturday that grass-track racing can also be kept short and sweet. In just two hours and 15 minutes, the club on the outskirts of Groningen had staged the final of the European Solo Grass Track Championship. The supporting programme took place before and after the European Championship, track operations were brief and efficient, and the individual heats were conducted at a brisk pace.

The hero of the day was the rider with the biggest fan club, Romano Hummel from neighbouring Groningen. The 27-year-old family man stormed to victory in all four of his heats and in the final – where only the finish count towards the overall standings – with tremendous power, deep drifts and his trademark breathtaking lean angle in the bends. And he did so as a wildcard rider.

Even the recently very successful Dave Meijerink, who finished second, could do nothing about it. On the contrary, the Dutchman was ultimately glad to have secured his third European Championship runner-up title, as he did not cope particularly well with the track at the Sportpark during the heats. After two retirements – once for touching the starting tape and then due to a mechanical failure – he was forced into the B final.

He went on to win this ahead of world champion Zach Wajtknecht and William Kruit, meaning all three qualified for the A final. Hummel, James Shanes and Kenneth Kruse Hansen had already secured their places in the final after the heats.

The A final was once again a clear-cut affair for Romano Hummel, who comfortably left Meijerink, Shanes, Kruse Hansen, Wajtknecht and Kruit trailing behind him. William Kruit can regard this sixth place as a major success for himself, given the strong field.

The German riders did not feature prominently in this European Championship final. Stephan Katt finished third in the C final, Timo Wachs fifth – that was 13th and 15th place overall. Daniel Spiller, who had suffered a heavy crash in Scheeßel, was present as a spectator in Aduard and congratulated Romano Hummel at the end on his third European Championship title.

Like Spiller, Chris Harris had also been selected for Aduard. But the ‘Bomber’ was unlucky with a flight cancellation on the island. A sponsor subsequently chartered a private jet for the Briton. The only problem was that he didn’t arrive until the European Championships had already begun. Now that’s what you call bad luck.

Results of the European Grass Track Solo Championships, Aduard (NL):