Ebbinge Maintains Lead In Third Round Of WDC

Driver Rick Ebbinge, representing The Netherlands, is the point leader heading into the fourth and final leg of the 2023 World Driving Championship (WDC), which returns to Germany on Friday, Aug. 18.

Ebbinge, who vaulted to the top of the leaderboard in round two of the WDC on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at GelsenTrabPark in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, maintained his lead in the third round of the competition on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Hippodrome de Wallonie in Mons, Belgium. He picked up his fourth winning drive of the competition in the Belgian round in rein to the front-striding Oasis.

Canada’s Doug McNair finished second in that 2,300 metre trot with Miss Du Chatault for his top placing of the day’s five races. McNair ended the third leg in sixth place with 93 points on the leaderboard.

United States representative Jordan Ross had an eventful day as he celebrated his first victory of the tournament with Lotus Ev but was unseated in the final race at the start. Representatives in attendance reported that he walked away without serious injury.

Germany’s Michael Nimczyk also broke through with his first win of the competition in rein to Hellios D’irai.

The final leg of the WDC will be held on Friday, Aug. 18 at Trabrennbahn Mariendorf in Berlin, Germany with post time set for 11 a.m.

Here is a look at the 2023 World Driving Championship leaderboard after 15 of 20 races:

Rick Ebbinge – The Netherlands – 139
Peter McMullen – Australia – 106
Hanna Huygens – Belgium – 105
Santtu Raitala – Finland – 103
Michael Nimczyk – Germany – 97
Doug McNair – Canada – 93
Jordan Ross – United States – 93
Blair Orange – New Zealand – 89
Miodrag Pantić – Serbia – 68
Rodney Gatt – Malta – 59