Prague Lions’ Peder Fredricson and Anna Kellnerova roared to pole position in a high drama GCL Rome first round, with the GCL-championship ranking set for a potential shakeup ahead of the finals in Doha.

The ferocious title battle between ranking leaders London Knights and Valkenswaard United took a dramatically unexpected turn, after United scored one of their worst results of the season, handing the advantage to their scarlet-coated rivals.

With all teams looking to the GC Playoffs and the all-important GCL Super Cup, every point counts in the two remaining events. Tomorrow will see multiple high-stakes scenarios play out in the spectacular amphitheatre in Rome. The Knights could be untouchable, while the battles for the top four positions, and to avoid the relegation zone, will be at full throttle. 

The victorious team, Prague Lions, spoke after their double clear today. Peder said: “It rode more difficult than it walked, and we’re very happy to be in the lead today. You have your plan, so I tried to go as fast as I could without taking any risks, the thing is to go clear in a team competition, and ride for the team.”

Teammate and U25 rider Anna said: “We have to keep it up but hopefully we’ll be at the [GC Playoffs]. The strategy is to do the same tomorrow!”

Second place today went to Miami Celtics’ Jessica Springsteen with RMF Zecilie and Denis Lynch with RMF Bella Baloubet - the only other double clear round of the day - and the St Tropez Pirates’ Athina Onassis with MHS Going Global and Edwina Tops-Alexander with California took the third spot, the team finishing on a single time fault.