Edited press release from Global Champions League

It was a demonstration of pure class as Madrid In Motion’s duo of Maikel van der Vleuten (NED)  and Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) was the only team to deliver four clear rounds and finish on a clean sheet to take the win in the GCL of Rome at the iconic Circus Maximus. Riding Elwikke (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Quick Star) and the 19-year-old Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (L'Arc de Triomphe x Apache d'Adriers) in the second round, the full crowd in the Italian capital city of Rome erupted as Alvarez Aznar and Van der Vleuten were crowned winners of the 14th stage of the 2024 GCL-season. 

Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian kept the championship race alive against the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames by securing second place. Anchors Christian Kukuk (GER) and Philipp Weishaupt (GER) brought out the big guns of Just Be Gentle (Tyson x Ticallux Verte) and Zineday (Zinedine x Polydor) for the second round to finish as the fastest team on eight faults, while it was a home podium for Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV as Kyle Timm (CAN) on Candar Mail (Lando x Fergar Mail) and Nina Mallevaey (FRA) with Dynastie de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) delivered the goods, picking up just eight faults over the two rounds, but four seconds slower than Riesenbeck International. 

With Rome's iconic backdrop and passionate fans, the competition was nothing short of spectacular as Madrid In Motion repeated history and did back-to-back wins at the Circus Maximus. Talking to GCTV, Maikel van der Vleuten smiled: “It's unbelievable that we can ride in these stunning locations around the world and today we saw top sport! I have kept on believing in the riders and the horses we have on the team and in Rome it’s super it worked out today.” 

An emotional Eduardo Alvarez Aznar explained: “I haven’t been to the GCL competitions for a few weeks and really missed it. This comeback with these two horses and winning today makes me very proud of my team. Now we have the chance to climb in the rankings. We still have one more stage, Rabat is an important show for us and we are going to fight for it! We chose our four experienced horses and today they gave it all. With four clear rounds. We haven't always had the luck on our side this year but we have a great team spirit together. Rokfeller feels fantastic. When you look at him you would not believe he is 19. He moves and jumps with the same attitude as when he was a young horse.”

Talking about how crucial this podium was for their team, Kukuk said: “It feels good to be second and pick up these points. I said our main goal before the show was that we still have a championship race for Rabat. It's not done yet, there's a final and we are ready for it.”

Teammate Philipp Weishaupt added: “We are super pleased with how the horses jumped today. A double clear and two very unlucky rails for Christian kept us in the Championship race and now there is five weeks until Rabat so we need to go away, make a plan and send our best combinations.”

It was all smiles for the home team as Rome Gladiators took third and Nina Mallevaey said: “It's amazing the atmosphere here in Rome! We are really close, we are a big team and to podium with our team owner Mark Rein and his whole family watching on is amazing. There are so many people behind us and we are both really grateful for them.” 

Mid-season transfer Kyle Timm has proved his place on the squad and smiled: “Our goal today for sure was a podium. It's our home show for the Rome Gladiators so we definitely wanted to do our best.”