Hechthausen: William Kruit wins the final – Dave Meijerink overall winner

The Motorradfreunde Niederelbe in Hechthausen, in the east of the Cuxhaven district in Lower Saxony, were delighted to welcome what felt like a larger crowd to the stands for their traditional sand track race on Sunday than in previous years. The team led by race director Tim Scheunemann from Augsburg – who has now settled in ‘Cuxland’ with his family – had put together a particularly strong field of riders, especially in the International Soloists class.

Dave Meijerink won three of his four heats

Leading the way was Dutchman Dave Meijerink, who finished fourth in the 2025 Long-Track World Championship and is aiming for a place in the top three of this season’s World Championship. “I want to be on the podium in all three Grands Prix,” the 26-year-old said, outlining his World Championship goals in an interview with Speedweek.com at the end of the race day in Hechthausen.

In the four races on the demanding sand track in Hechthausen, Meijerink secured victory in three of his four heats. Going into the final, he led by one point ahead of the Dane Jacob Bukhave. His compatriot William Kruit was four points behind. Stephan Katt, the best German on the day, was in fourth place with ten points to his name, the same number as Timo Wachs from Werlte. Britain’s James Shanes, a two-time European champion and a returnee after a long injury lay-off, was in sixth place at this stage with eight points.

William Kruit got off to the best start in the final

In the final, the points from which were added to the overall standings, Kruit got off to the best start. The 25-year-old successfully defended his lead against Meijerink over the three laps to the finish. Kruit: “The track was a bit soft, which meant a lot of work. But overall, everything went well. I got off to a very good start in the final. And when you’re out in front, it’s a bit easier.”

Dave Meijerink took second place in the final in his stride. “The start in the final was a shame from my point of view. Because the tape went up pretty quickly there. But anyway, apart from that I was always at the front. Today it was also important for me to get home in one piece and not take any unnecessary risks. My starts are getting better and better; I’m happy with them ahead of the World Championships.”

The ‘Catman’, Stephan Katt from Neuwittenbek, was pleased with his fourth place. “I’m riding more and more sensibly and avoiding bigger risks. Fourth place isn’t a bad result today; I was particularly pleased with my starts.”

Results of the MF Niederelbe grass track race, Hechthausen, Solo:

• 1. Dave Meijerink (NL), 19 points

• 2. Jacob Bukhave (DK), 17

• 3. William Kruit (NL), 16

• 4. Stephan Katt (D), 11

• 5. James Shanes (GB), 10

• 6. Timo Wachs (D), 10

• 7. Mark Beishuizen (NL), 6

• 8. Niek Meijerink (NL), 5

• 9. Jeffrey Sijbesma (NL), 4

• 10. Fabian Wachs (Germany), 3

• 11. Keijo Busch (Germany), 2

• 12. Jörg Tebbe (D), 0

• Final: 1. Kruit, 2. Meijerink, 3. Bukhave, 4. Shanes, 5. Katt, 6. T. Wachs

Results of the Hechthausen grass track race, sidecars:

• 1. Martin Brandhofer/Bridget Meijerink (D/NL), 15 points

• 2. Moritz Straub/David Kersten (D), 10

• 3. Nicole Standke/Alex Herrmann (D), 7

• 4. Kenny van Eckhout/Axelle Cannaerts (B), 2

• 5. Ole Möller/Imani Hazekamp (GER/NED), 2

• Final: 1. Brandhofer/Meijerink, 2. Straub/Kersten, 3. Standke/Herrmann, 4. Van Eckhout/Cannaerts