Germany delivered a near knockout blow in the Vintage Veteran Trophy (EVT) with a commanding Day 3 win in Piekoszów, Poland, heading into the final day almost five minutes clear of France. Hosts Poland climbed to third after the Czech Republic’s hopes were wrecked by a costly mechanical.

Day three of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy saw riders repeat the route and special tests from the previous stage – 130 kilometres of sweltering heat and deep, rutted sand. In these conditions, the German trio once again stamped their dominance on the event.

One day to go, Germany within touching distance

Bert von Zitzewitz, Johannes Steinel and Uwe Weber bagged another stage win, stretching their lead in the Vintage Veteran Trophy to 4’59” over France, with only the final motocross test left on the schedule.

The French remain defiant in second. “The liaison sections were beautiful today. The course is so nice to ride, I think we are very lucky,” said Francis Mace. “The special tests are a challenge; I’m on an 80cc Fantic, so I don’t have a lot of power in this sand. But the hardest part is now done and I can look forward to tomorrow. We are second overall. It would be a perfect ending to finish on the podium – but for sure we will celebrate tomorrow, whatever the result.”

In the scrap for the final podium place, the Czech Republic’s challenge was derailed when Rudolf Kavsky’s mechanical retirement dropped them to sixth. Poland took full advantage to slot into third, holding a 20-minute buffer over Switzerland in fourth, with the Netherlands completing the top five.

Hoess tightens his grip on the scratch standings

In the overall individual classification, Fred Hoess (USA) once again set the pace, extending his lead with a time 32 seconds faster than Bert von Zitzewitz, while Italy’s Tullio Pellegrinelli claimed third. Hoess goes into the final day in full control, able to manage his advantage to the line.

Von Zitzewitz remains the nearest threat but faces long odds of overturning the gap, while Pellegrinelli’s consistent speed has cemented his hold on third and strengthened his bid for a podium finish in the final tally.

Silver Vase goes down to the wire

The Vintage Silver Vase fight is balanced on a knife edge, with Pantera 1 and Moto Club Team Italia split by just four seconds heading into the last test – a margin promising a dramatic finale. MC Bergamo MX Line Team hold third, more than two minutes back, but with a 3’20” advantage over Moto Club Scuderia Norelli in fourth. Team Kramer rounds out the top five.

Italy in command in the Club category

Barring disaster, the Vintage Club title is destined for US Leonessa D’Italia 1903, who hold a commanding 5’41” cushion. Czech Classic Enduro Team Club 1 is second, only 1’20” ahead of MC Ohrdruf, with Germany Club 4 and Moto Club Alpin 1 sitting fourth and fifth respectively.

Trophy (after day 3):

Silver Vase (after day 3):

The 2025 EVT wraps up tomorrow, August 9, with the traditional final motocross test in Wincentów – a high-intensity sprint that will decide the new champions in all three categories. Germany, Fred Hoess, Pantera 1 and US Leonessa D’Italia 1903 start as favourites, but in enduro – and especially in the Polish sand – nothing is certain until the chequered flag drops.

For full race details and live results, visit www.ktmnovi.com and follow @fim_enduro_vintage on Instagram for daily updates.

Fotos: Andrea Belluschi | Future7Media