© Stefano Grasso/GCL

Watched on in anticipation by riders from the 12 teams competing, the sixth round of the 2016 Global Champions League team order draw took place at 14:30 local time. Drawn at random, the teams were matched with numbers to determine which order they would start the GCL Madrid competition in. Each team will field two from their squad, with rider order decided by the teams themselves.

Valkenswaard United crew the 'short straw’ being pulled first in the order. The question now is which rider of Bertram Allen and John Whitaker will ride first, testing the course for the first time in the competition. Previously John has provided the anchor as a safe clear, with Bertram focused on the fast round to make up time, however it’s up to the team to discuss, with tactics coming into play.

Vienna Eagles will be last to go, with their U25 rider Paris Sellon competing on the team for the first time alongside GCL ‘veteran’ Danielle Goldstein who’s competed in the majority of competitions so far. Also in prime position will be three formidable team combinations: Cannes Stars of Marco Kutscher and Roger-Yves Bost, Miami Glory who field World Number 3 Scott Brash and Georgina Bloomberg, plus the mighty Paris Jets who feature World Number 7 Gregory Wathelet and young star Olivier Philippaerts this weekend.


The full team order for the Global Champions League is as follows:

1. Valkenswaard United - John Whitaker & Bertram Allen

2. Doha Fursan Qatar: Bassem Mohammed and Hamad Al Attiyah

3. Cascais Charms: Andreas Kreuzer and David Will

4. Monaco Aces: Daniel Bluman and Schuyler Riley

5. Madrid In Motion: Athina Onassis and Gonzalo Anon Suarez

6. Shanghai Swans: Edwina Tops Alexander and Jessica Springsteen

7. Rome Gladiators : Laura Kraut and Laura Renwick

8. Antwerp Diamonds: Harrie Smolders and Audrey Coulter

9. Cannes Stars: Marco Kutscher and Roger-Yves Bost

10. Miami Glory: Georgina Bloomberg and Scott Brash

11. Paris Jets: Gregory Wathelet and Olivier Philippaerts

12. Vienna Eagles : Paris Sellon and Danielle Goldstein


So far, the magnificent duo of John Whitaker and Bertram Allen for Valkenswaard United, a combination with over 40 years difference in age between the two riders, are leading the way on an impressive tally of 130 points in the GCL rankings. With wins in Miami Beach and Hamburg, the team look unstoppable in their quest of the overall GCL Champions of Champions title.

Hot on their heels are the Monaco Aces, who currently sit in 2nd with 119 points overall. This weekend will see the team field Daniel Bluman, fresh from his bronze medal at the LGCT Hamburg, and Schuyler Riley, another consistently strong rider on the League. Just three points behind are the Antwerp Diamonds, who finished second at the last event in Hamburg. The ever consistent Harrie Smolders, who has jumped clear in every round of the GCL championship he’s competed in so far - making him one of the most valuable team players - will be back in action, and joined by Audrey Coulter who has helped the team secure a win in Antwerp, and strong second places in Miami and Hamburg.

Home team Madrid in Motion will be looking for a strong performance in front of a passionate local crowd, with Athina Onassis and local favourite Gonzalo Anon Suarez called up for this important round in the Championship. Gonzalo in particular will feel the extra pressure, with legions of fans and support expected to cheer him on from the city in which he now resides.

The Cascais Charms will field their GCL Shanghai winners, young talents David Will and Andreas Kreuzer; a tight-knit pair who will be hungry to raise the team back up through the rankings after a challenging time in Hamburg cost them points. Rome Gladiators bring back the two ‘Lauras’, with Laura Kraut and Laura Renwick another strong and speedy combination for the competition this weekend. Miami Glory will see World Number 3 Scott Brash back in action alongside Georgina Bloomberg who has looked to be on fantastic form at recent shows, with double clears and placings on the LGCT.

Shanghai Swans will see the impressive combination of Edwina Tops-Alexander and Jessica Springsteen, a duo who know each other’s strengths and talents inside out, and will undoubtably be ones to watch this weekend. Paris Jets will welcome the GCL Shanghai Bronze medallist combination of World number 7 Gregory Wathelet and Olivier Philippaerts - a pairing that impressed with their strengths of speed and consistency.

U25 rider Paris Sellon will make her debut on the League this season for the Vienna Eagles, united with Danielle Goldstein, a rider who has competed in three of the six events so far. Doha Fursan Qatar will field LGCT Grand Prix of Monaco winning Bassem Hassan Mohammed and U25 rider Hamad Al Attiyah and Cannes Stars will be pulling out the big guns once more with the formidable duo of Marco Kutscher and Roger-Yves Bost.

Source: GCL