The 2025 UIM-ABP European Aquabike Championship came to an exciting close in Vichy, France. Across endurance, ski, runabout and freestyle, the continent’s best riders battled on the Allier River, with new champions emerging in nearly every category.
Medori and Giraldo Dominate Endurance
Corsican star François Medori was untouchable in Endurance GP1, winning all five Motos and collecting a perfect 125-point score to secure the European crown. “It was a perfect weekend,” he said, praising his Easy Rider team after winning both circuit and endurance titles.
In GP2, Matthias Giraldo of Italy held off Frenchman Steve Sarnin in a tense four-Moto showdown. Despite Sarnin’s speed, Giraldo did enough to secure the championship and celebrate his first continental title.
A Wave of New European Champions
The Grand Prix of Vichy also decided several other European titles:
- Nikola Dryjakova (Runabout GP4 Ladies) confirmed her consistency despite a Moto victory for Estonia’s Kätrin Nilbe.
- Dutchman Daan Hoeke (Ski GP2) secured his crown with a steady third place, while Karl Joosep Steinberg took the Grand Prix win.
- Lithuanian Grantas Gurkšnys completed a clean sweep in Runabout GP4, winning all three Motos to secure both European and Grand Prix titles.
- In Ski GP3, Frenchman Alexandre Bourgeois stunned the field with a decisive last-Moto win that handed him the European crown.
- Young Leo Kete emerged as the Ski GP3.3 Junior champion.
- Spaniard Alejandro Prats Palau lifted the Runabout GP2 title after a dramatic penalty for Domantas Vaznys.
- And in Ski Division GP1, Mickael Poret claimed the European title after a tight battle with Quinten Bossche and Oliver Koch Hansen.
Home Glory for French Riders
French talent also shone brightly in Vichy. Jessica Chavanne secured the Ski Ladies GP1 European crown, while Jéremy Perez sealed the Runabout GP1 title after a season of consistency. Corsican teammate François Medori celebrated Grand Prix victory in the same class, underlining Easy Rider’s dominance.
Meanwhile, Italian veteran Roberto Mariani confirmed his reputation in Freestyle, thrilling the crowd with technical tricks to retain his European crown.
Rising Stars: Leinsalu and Meziere
The event also showcased the next generation of talent. Estonian Rihard Leinsalu claimed double success in Runabout GP4 Juniors, winning both the European title and the Vichy Grand Prix.
French rider Mathys Meziere achieved the same in Ski Division GP4, closing his season with a clean sweep of Motos and a dominant 54-point margin in the standings.
The Grand Prix of Vichy wrapped up an action-packed 2025 European Championship season, with established champions confirming their status and new names stepping onto the continental stage