Pau, Main Race: Serious crash involving Ellis/Clément causes race to be abandoned

With the air temperature forecast to exceed 30 degrees and the associated risks to life and limb, the local authorities were compelled to cancel all sporting events in the region from 12.00 CEST, as a result, the international jury of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) brought forward the start of the main race to 11.40 CEST and shortened the race distance from 24 to 14 laps.

As early as Saturday evening, the 19 teams that had qualified for the third round of the Sidecar World Championship were already having to keep a cool head. Starting from pole position, Harry Payne and Kevin Rousseau (Steinhausen Racing) stormed to victory. Pekka Päivärinta and Adam Christie (Hänni Racing) in second place, along with the defending champions Sam and Tom Christie (CES Performance) in third, rounded off the podium.

Payne and Rousseau, who – despite the challenging conditions – were not deterred from also competing in both races of the French Championship – which, needless to say, they won – got off to a perfect start and were quickly able to shake off their pursuers from their slipstream. After the first lap, Päivärinta/Christie were already 1.4 seconds behind. Markus Schlosser/Lucas Krieg (Gustoil Sidecar Racing) followed in third place.

Much to the delight of the crowd, the three-wheeled duo put on a display of racing at its finest. Positions changed frequently, with only Payne lapping alone at the front. After the fourth lap, he led ahead of Päivärinta, Christie, Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clément, Schlosser, Tim Reeves and Melanie Farnier (Carl Cox Motorsport), local heroes Paul Leglise and Marjorie Cescutti (521 Competition) and Bennie Streuer and Manon Vissenberg.

Ellis/Clément crash shocks eyewitnesses

What followed left eyewitnesses breathless. Ellis, sensing an opportunity to take third place and not wanting to lose touch with the Christie brothers, took too great a risk in the chicane after the start-finish line and cut across the kerbs, causing his sidecar to lift off the ground and roll over. Whilst the rider, after the initial shock, helped to load his sidecar, Clément was taken to the Medical Centre for examination.

The red flag was the logical consequence of the serious incident. The officials confirmed fairly quickly that there could be no restart. It would have had to take place before 12.00 CEST due to the ban on sporting events. The standings after four laps will count as the result, and half points will be awarded to the teams.

There was still a nasty surprise in store for Reeves/Farnier at the end. Because they had left the pit lane whilst the red flag was out before the formation lap and rolled back to their starting positions, they were handed a ‘ride-through’ penalty, which they were, however, unable to serve due to the race being abandoned. As a result, 22 seconds were added to their race time. Consequently, instead of sixth place, they finished in twelfth.

Results, Sidecar World Championship, Pau Arnos, 21 June 2026

World Championship standings after six of twelve races