The Allier River played host to a dramatic finale to the 2025 UIM-ABP European Continental and Endurance Aquabike Championships, as riders from across Europe battled through four days of competition at the Grand Prix of Vichy.
Medori Dominates in Endurance and Circuit
Corsican star François Medori proved unstoppable in both disciplines.
After claiming victory in the opening Endurance GP1 Moto on Thursday, he went on to secure a clean sweep of all five heats, clinching the European title with a perfect score of 125 points.
Medori also topped the Runabout GP1 Grand Prix standings, while his Easy Rider team-mate Jérémy Perez sealed the European crown after winning the final Moto on Sunday.
Italian Giraldo Matthias emerged victorious in Endurance GP2, holding off French rival Steve Sarnin to seal the title, despite Sarnin’s early pace and Moto 4 win.
“This was a perfect weekend for us — winning in both circuit and endurance,” Medori said. “Easy Rider has won everything.”
Baltic Brilliance and French Flair
Lithuania enjoyed success across the categories. Grantas Gurkšnys delivered three commanding Moto wins in Runabout GP4 to lift both the European and Grand Prix titles, while compatriot Domantas Vaznys impressed with pole positions and heat victories before controversy struck in Runabout GP2.
A penalty for dangerous driving in the final Moto pushed him down the order and allowed Spain’s Alejandro Prats Palau to secure the European Championship by five points.
Germany’s Justin Patzner snatched the Grand Prix win with a decisive Moto 3 victory.
In the junior divisions, Estonian Rihard Leinsalu took the Runabout GP4 Junior European and Grand Prix titles, with Mathys Meziere of France confirming Ski GP4 honours after a dominant season. Italy’s Francesco Mariani triumphed in Ski GP4 Juniors.
Champions Crowned Across Ski and Runabout Classes
Sunday’s final Motos confirmed a wave of European champions:
Nikola Dryjakova – Runabout GP4 Ladies
Daan Hoeke – Ski Division GP2
Grantas Gurkšnys – Runabout GP4
Alexandre Bourgeois – Ski Division GP3
Leo Kete – Ski Division GP3.3 Junior
Alejandro Prats Palau – Runabout GP2
Mickael Poret – Ski Division GP1
In Ski Ladies GP1, France’s Jessica Chavanne had already wrapped up the European title before retiring from the final Moto.
Her compatriot Estelle Poret took the Grand Prix win after back-to-back heat victories.
Defending world champion Quinten Bossche claimed the Ski GP1 Grand Prix with three wins from three, but the European title went to Mickael Poret after a tense showdown with Oliver Koch Hansen.
Grand Prix Highlights
Among the weekend’s standout performers were:
Kätrin Nilbe (Estonia) – Runabout GP4 Ladies Grand Prix win
Karl Joosep Steinberg (Estonia) – Ski GP2 Grand Prix victory
Yoni Hamelin (Belgium) – Ski GP3 Grand Prix honours
Estelle Poret (France) – Ski Ladies GP1 Grand Prix success
Quinten Bossche (Belgium) – Ski GP1 Grand Prix win
François Medori (France) – Runabout GP1 Grand Prix win
Meanwhile, Italian Roberto Mariani edged closer to retaining his European Freestyle crown with victory in the opening Moto on Saturday night.
A Memorable Vichy Finale
The Vichy Grand Prix once again confirmed its status as the flagship event of the European Aquabike calendar.
Across endurance and circuit racing, established champions reaffirmed their dominance, new names broke through, and national pride shone on the international stage.
Neil Perkins, is a seasoned sports journalist and PR professional. Educated at Adams’ Grammar School, Newport, he developed a lifelong passion for sport, including football, cricket, golf, and snooker.
Perkins began his career as a trainee accountant before moving into sports journalism in 1986 with Motoring News, covering events worldwide. In 1990, he founded NDP Publicity Services in Shropshire, specialising in sports public relations. Over three decades, he has worked across 114 countries for governments, sporting federations, royalty, celebrities, and major events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Winter Olympics.
Outside work, he follows Ipswich Town FC, enjoys fishing in Spain and Shropshire, and travels to destinations including Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Catalunya, and Mexico.