Emanuele Gaudiano leads Italian one-two to win LGCT Grand Prix in Monaco

Riding Caspar 232, Gaudiano claimed top spot in the LGCT Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco ahead of compatriot Piergiorgio Bucci who took the silver medal with Casallo Z, and Sweden’s Rolf-Göran Bengtsson finishing in third with Casall ASK.

In what was another intriguing round of LGCT action, course designer Luc Musette set the bar high designing courses to challenge the best international riders in the world, and as a result a few big names fell by the wayside. LGCT Ranking leader Christian Ahlmann was one of the surprise drop-outs failing to make it through the first round of competition, as his stallion Colorit clipped a pole leaving them with four penalties.

USA’s Audrey Coulter was the first to jump clear with Capital Colnardo, making the 1.60 metre jumps look effortless and she was quickly joined by Switzerland’s Christina Liebherr, Germany’s Janne-Friederike Meyer and Belgium’s Jos Verlooy with Caracas, who all earned their place into round two.

Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts set the initial early pace after a clear round with Bisquet Balou C, however he was soon pipped to pole position for round two by Germany’s David Will on Mic Mac du Tillard.

Great Britain’s Scott Brash delivered another masterful round with the relatively young Hello Guv’Nor, and he was joined by compatriot Laura Renwick with Bintang II and final rider to go John Whitaker and Ornellaia.

Round two however was different proposition as the top eighteen returned to the sand arena and a technical course once again asked many questions for the top riders. Both Brash and Renwick were caught out by the double combination, rolling a pole to the ground. However Bengtsson showed all his experience and flair in the tight arena as did Whitaker putting them in prime position for the jump-off, with Philippaerts, Guery and Gaudiano all also progressing to the final round. Last rider to go Will and Mic Mac du Tillard looked to be on course to follow suit however they knocked down a pole which eliminated the pair from the last round of competition.

With nine combinations through to the jump off, Germany’s Janne-Friederike Meyer started off the final round on Chuck 27, setting the pace at 40.51 seconds. But the competition immediately moved up a gear, with Bengtsson shaving off a full two seconds to stop the clocks at 37.95 seconds. Next to go Gaudiano and Caspar 232 then wrestled the lead away from the Swede galloped around the course to finish in 36.64 seconds. His compatriot Bucci and Casallo Z pushed to beat the time, but had to settle splitting the top two to finish in 37.37 seconds.

Belgium’s Jerome Guery and Alicante looked impressively fast, but the gallop to the last was too much for the grey stallion and he refused the final fence.

John Whitaker with Ornellaia was last rider to go, but the pair could not match the timing of the top three, finishing fourth and handing the win to Gaudiano.

Upon the conclusion of events in Monaco and now only six events remaining, Germany’s Christian Alhmann maintains his overall lead on the LGCT leaderboard with his total of 209 points. However Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander is closing in on him moving up to 169 points overall, with Bengtsson close behind in third with 160 points.

Drop scores now come into play with the top eight results counting as the Tour now heads north to Paris for the Round 10 on 1 to 3 July 2016.

Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco
Result

1 Caspar 232 Emanuele Gaudiano Italy 0/ 36.64 seconds (jump-off)
2 Casallo Z Piergiorgio Bucci Italy 0/ 37.37
3 Casall ASK Rolf-Göran Bengtsson Sweden 0/ 37.95
4 Ornellaia John Whitaker Great Britain 0/ 38.19
5 L.B. Eagle Eye Christina Liebherr Switzerland 0/ 38.47
6 Chuck Janne Friederike Meyer Germany 0/ 40.51
7 Coleman Cassio Rivetti Ukraine 4/ 38.81
8 Bisquet Balou C Nicola Philippaerts Belgium 4/ 41.17
9 Alicante Jérome Guery Belgium 9/ 49.53
LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR 2016
Overall standings after leg 9 – Monaco, France

1. Christian Ahlmann Germany 209 points
2. Edwina Tops-Alexander Australia 169
3. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson Sweden 160
4. Bertram Allen Ireland 154
5. John Whitaker Great Britain 146
6. Emanuele Gaudiano Italy 136
7. Ludger Beerbaum Germany 126
8. Daniel Bluman Colombia 120
9. Kevin Staut France 114
10. Olivier Philippaerts Belgium 108