DAMPREMY - Rarely before was Frédéric Caudron so superior in a tournament, never before was a series of victories in an official tournament so impressive. The Belgian triumphed in the third of three BTS tournaments (Grand Prix's) in Belgium with an unprecedented record average: 2.790.
That should basically be a world record, because Torbjörn Blomdahl and Dani Sánchez are the record holders in a World Cup with 2.739. ,,I don't care if it is recognized as a world record, I know that I've played it'', Caudron replied in a first reaction. That gives the Belgian number one enough satisfaction. World records are theoretically only officially recognized played at a world championship and even wouldn't be recognized as a record in a World Cup. ,,My opinion'', said Caudron, ,, is that whoever plays it in an official tournament, deserves to get the record to his name.''
His performance in the BTS event in Dampremy was divided in two parts: Caudron played the first rounds against Nico Mangelinckx (40-12 in 14), Frédéric Mottet (40-6 in 13), Kenny Miatton (40-31 in 19) and Francis Forton (40-27 in 17). That was in the weeks before Caudron left for South Korea. After his return from Asia, he played the European Cup preliminaries in Lisbon with his Turkish team last week. This weekend were the semi-finals and final of the BTS tournament. These two matches were unprecedented beauties. Caudron defeated Eddy Leppens in the semi-final 40-13 in 9 innings (9-0-1-3-0-0-0-19-8) and then Eddy Merckx 40-11 in 14 innings.
,,I had a super feeling in these matches'', Caudron explained later. ,,In the final, I ran thirteen and sixteen, but both times I missed unlucky, once when the cue ball went just behind, the second by a butage.'' How impressive his series of matches was in Dampremy, is proved by the numbers. Caudron played a total of six 40 points matches in 14, 13, 19, 17, 9 and 14 innings. He made 240 points, his six opponents together came only to 100 points. Kenny Miatton was the best with 31 points.
The trilogy of Caudron in the three BTS tournament so far, is significant for his form this year. He won in Sint Niklaas in the final against Marco Janssen with 2.124 overall average and in Eeklo in the final against Eddy Merckx with 2.143 overall. At the Belgian champion championship, Caudron record in January 2.372 and in the Superprestige in Lommel last year 2.016/ With that excellent form Caudron is the absolute favorite for the Belgian Cup, which is played in Hooglede next week. One week later, Caudron leaves for Vietnam for the Ho Chi Minh World Cup. ,,I feel super right now'', he says, but he realizes at the same time that it is never a guarantee to keep a top form for many weeks.