Italian harness driver Alessandro Gocciadoro won this past weekend's European Driving Championship in Belgium to punch his ticket to the 2023 World Driving Championship (WDC).
Gocciadoro won the seven-race European Driving Championship topping 10 other reinsmen during two days of competition at Mons and Tongeren racetracks. Malta's Rodney Gatt and France's David Bekaert rounded out the top three finishers and will also advance to the WDC.
“It was a huge pleasure for me to drive in the European Championship," said Gocciadoro. "I wanted from the beginning to well figure out my first European Championship. When after the first day I was in first position, but all near with points, I told myself to do the best the day after."
Gocciadoro's victory in the European championship came in the final race of the competition, and only after his horse survived a judges' inquiry and was spared disqualification.
"When I came out I thought that I could be the winner, but I was not sure. When they told me I had won, a big shout came out and I swear, it was a huge emotion for me.
"All my colleagues where good partners for the trip and good opponents. I hope it was a great event for the drivers and for the public. I really hope to have some other nice experience like this one."
Also advancing to the WDC from Europe will be Belgium's Gunther Loix and Germany's Michael Nimczyk along with representatives from Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and USA. Originally slated to be contested in Italy, the 2023 World Driving Championship will now be contested over tracks in Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands in August 2023.
The Canadian representative to the World Driving Championship will be determined via the 2022 National Driving Championship, which will be contested on Nov. 24 at Century Mile in Edmonton, Alta.
(with files from UET)