Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

The second day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Cannes (FRA) delivered one of the most gripping five-star classes of the LGCT-season. In the CSI5* 1.50m Prix GCTV, Spain’s Mariano Martinez Bastida proved untouchable on Belano vd Wijnhoeve Z (Berlin x Darco), setting a time so quick, not even a wave of French support and a valiant final attempt from the runner-up Simon Delestre (FRA) and Acatitla LS (Clearway x Alcamera de Moyon) could topple him.

In a field of 40 horse-and-rider combinations, 18 found the answers to a technical yet fast first-round track, setting up a turbo-charged jump-off where every second counted. The first to return for the shortened track, Martinez Bastida aboard his ultra-consistent 16-year-old partner Belano vd Wijnhoeve Z wasted no time. Taking daring risks through the rollback turns, the Spanish pair left the timers stopping at 36.83 seconds—a marker that would become the one to chase for the remaining challengers. 

Germany’s Marco Kutscher aboard Aventador S (Armitage x Charming Boy) looked to have it but came home just 0.63 slower, eventually finishing third, while Max Kühner (AUT) and the ever-reliable EIC Up Too Jacco Blue (Chacco-Blue x Ard VDL Douglas) couldn't match the early leader’s pace either, finishing fourth. British sensation and last years LGCT Grand Prix of London winner Harry Charles on Casquo Blue (Chacco-Blue x Carthago), a pair known for their speed, had to settle for fifth.