Victor Bettendorf Triumphs in Rome’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix
Victor Bettendorf won a thrilling finale in Rome, capturing his first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix aboard Foxy de la Roque in a breathtaking 34.07 seconds. The Luxembourg rider outshone his competitors, including French rider Simon Delestre and German Amazon Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, in an electrifying jump-off at the iconic Circus Maximus.
The Course: A Test of Precision and Skill
The renowned course designer Uliano Vezzani crafted a challenging track for the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Rome. Featuring 13 obstacles and 16 efforts, each positioned meticulously, the course demanded the utmost precision from the riders. Highlights included a wide opening oxer, a diagonal line of fences, and a triple combination that required perfect balance and timing. Riders had to navigate tight turns and tricky combinations, including the imposing Longines double and a vertical with close-set rails.
An Intense Competition at Circus Maximus
The historic Circus Maximus provided a dramatic setting for the 14th leg of the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour. With just one stage left before the Super Playoffs in Riyadh, the stakes were high. Of the 39 world-class riders from 17 countries, only six managed to complete the first round without faults, including Olympic champion Christian Kukuk on Just Be Gentle,who won the 2023 of the Gran Prix of Rome, and Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci on Hantano.
Among the star competitors was bronze medalist Maikel van der Vleuten on Beauville Z N.O.P., German rider Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann on Messi van ‘t Ruytershof, and Simon Delestre on I Amelusina R 51. The crowd held their breath as these elite athletes took on Vezzani’s demanding course, showcasing their skills and precision.
The Jump-Off: A Nail-Biting Finale
The jump-off saw six riders, five men, and one woman, battling for the Grand Prix title. First to go was Christian Kukuk, who set a brisk pace but knocked down a fence for a four-fault finish at 34.07 seconds, placing fourth. Next was Piergiorgio Bucci, who, despite a promising start, ended with eight faults and finished sixth. Maikel van der Vleuten was fast but incurred four faults, placing fifth.
Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann delivered the first clear round, strategically playing it safe to ensure a podium finish with a time of 39.76 seconds, placing third. Simon Delestre then delivered a nearly flawless performance, completing the course in 37.51 seconds to take the lead temporarily.
But it was Victor Bettendorf, last to go, who stunned the audience. Riding Foxy de la Roque, Victor Bettendorf executed a flawless and lightning-fast round, cutting over three seconds off Delestre’s time to clinch his first Grand Prix victory in 34.07 seconds, earning his place in the prestigious LGCT Super Grand Prix in Riyadh.
Championship Standings Shake-Up
The results from Rome significantly impacted the overall standings in the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour. Christian Kukuk’s fourth-place finish propelled him to the top of the leaderboard with 242 points, overtaking Max Kühner, who remained at 234 points after a disappointing performance. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann moved up to third with 216 points, while Maikel van der Vleuten slipped to fourth with 212 points. The race to the championship title will be decided at the final stage in Rabat, Morocco.
As the Longines Global Champions Tour of Rome concluded with thrilling performances and unexpected twists, riders and fans eagerly look forward to the final showdown in Rabat, where the 2024 champion will be crowned.
Anticipation Builds for Rabat Finals
The historic venue of Circus Maximus, with its rich history and awe-inspiring backdrop, provided a fitting stage for a world-class event that showcased the best in show jumping. As riders and horses now prepare for the season’s finale in Rabat, the equestrian world holds its breath to see who will emerge as the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour champion.
Photos: Courtesy of LGCT
