4X Protour round #1, Poland
06.05.2013

Round 1 of the 2013 season was held at Szczawno Zdroj in south west Poland. The track in Szczawno Zdroj is widely regarded as one of the finest 4X tracks in the world. At around 42 seconds long, there is a mix of high and low speed, technical and huge jumps. There is something to suit all the riders and the racing is always amazing to reflect this.

Late in the afternoon, the crowds began to arrive to watch the qualifying rounds. n the men’s, Tomas Slavik took the fastest time and began 2013 the way he ended in 2012. Michal Prokop finished 2nd and Scott Beaumont was 3rd. The guys were absolutely on the ragged edge. They make it look so easy but the speed that they hit these jumps at has to be seen to be believed.

So it was onto the finals. The race action was fantastic. So much calculated racing from all the guys it was great to watch. The final race was the big one. Slavik took gate 1, Beaumont in 2, Derbier in 3 and Prokop in 4. As the gate dropped, Beaumont got the jump, but on the first drop Slavik got ahead. Prokop went for a big cut back in turn 1 and slotted into 3rd. Beaumont hounded Slavik up to the last turn where he made a mistake and Prokop pounced. In a drag race down the last straight Prokop just got ahead. Slavik took the win from Prokop, Beaumont and Derbier.

Video from race you can watch here!!!!