By 2026 World Sidecars round two digest, detailing well-known three wheeling roads scene forces endeavours at Grobnik Circuit (Rijeka), Croatia.
Sprint, main races saw the same podium finishers, Pekka Paivarinta/Adam Christie (P1 x2), Harry Payne/Kevin Rousseau (P2 x2) and reigning World Champions Sam Christie/Tom Christie (P3 x2).
Respective six, seven plate carriers for TT 2026, Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement and Tim Reeves/Melanie Farnier secured solid results.
Reeves/Farnier previously this month, were victorious in the only Hengelo, Varsselring Sidecars encounter which also contained the likes of Bennie Streuer/Manon Vissenberg, Raymond Leijdekkers/Oceane Bataille plus TT 2026 entrants Wiggert Kranenburg/Kevin Kolsch (Kranenburg’s past weekend sidekick was Loris Charteau).
Concurrently held aside three wheeling World Championship action at Grobnik, was the season opening Alpe Adria International Motorcycle Championship affiliated contests which featured roads experienced names, including:
Martin Vugrinec (Superbike Race 1 winner/did not finish Race 2), Michal Prasek (P2/P6 in SBK class), Dominik Nervo (P4/P3 – SBK).
Julius Ilmberger Jr (P2/DNS – STK 1000 races), Jiri Broz (P5/P8 – SBK), Michal Filla (DNF/P2 – SBK), Karlo Grsic (P1 x2 – STK 600).
Landshaag Hill Climb 600cc time record-holder Alexander Kastenhuber (P2 x2 – STK 600), Dolny Hricov/Trencin Slovak airport races participant of recent years, Tomas Svitok (P5/P4 – SSP 600) and Teo Sekulic (DNF/P5 – Cup 600 races).
The third Sidecars World Championship round will-be-held alongside FSBK (French Superbike Championship)/support class competition at Pau-Arnos Circuit (20th-21st June), meaning a clash with the Barry Sheene Festival at Oliver’s Mount, Kells Road Races.
Croatian Prize of Krizevci, Flugplatzrennen Waldurn in Germany, and CIVS Hill Climb at Isola del Liri-Arpino.
Outlined below is select 2026 World Sidecars Round 2, Grobnik Circuit (Rijeka) results:
Race 1 (Sprint Race):
P1 – Pekka Paivarinta/Adam Christie (Hanni Racing)
P2 – Harry Payne/Kevin Rousseau (Steinhausen Racing)
P3 – Sam Christie/Tom Christie (CES Performance)
P5 – Ted Peugeot/Vincent Peugeot (Seventy-Four Racing Team)
P6 – Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement (Ellis/Clement Racing)
P7 – Tim Reeves/Melanie Farnier (Carl Cox Motorsport/Tim Reeves Racing)
P8 – Bennie Streuer/Manon Vissenberg (Bennie Streuer Racing)
P9 – Manuel Moreau/Alice Roba (KM Side)
P12 – Paul Leglise/Marjorie Cescutti (521 Competition)
P13 – Kevin Cable/Yann Druel (L&W Racing)
P16 – Wiggert Kranenburg/Loris Charteau (Flying Dutchmen)
P18 – Raymond Leijdekkers/Oceane Bataille (LRT Sidecar Racing)
Race 2 (Main Race):
P1 – Pekka Paivarinta/Adam Christie (Hanni Racing)
P2 – Harry Payne/Kevin Rousseau (Steinhausen Racing)
P3 – Sam Christie/Tom Christie (CES Performance)
P5 – Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement (Ellis/Clement Racing)
P6 – Bennie Streuer/Manon Vissenberg (Bennie Streuer Racing)
P10 – Kevin Cable/Yann Druel (L&W Racing)
P12 – Wiggert Kranenburg/Loris Charteau (Flying Dutchmen)
P15 – Raymond Leijdekkers/Oceane Bataille (LRT Sidecar Racing)
Did not finish – Ted Peugeot/Vincent Peugeot (Seventy-Four Racing Team)
Did not finish – Tim Reeves/Melanie Farnier (Carl Cox Motorsport/Tim Reeves Racing)
Did not finish – Paul Leglise/Marjorie Cescutti (521 Competition)
Did not finish – Manuel Moreau/Alice Roba (KM Side)
Words by Jan Vavra
