LOMMEL - The ranking after four days of pre-rounds at the Kimchi Superprestige is topped by Eddy Leppens, the only one who achieved the maximum six match points. Frédéric Caudron, who can win his tenth Superprestige, is the number two with five match points and the same average (2.033). Eddy Merckx, the title holder, completes the Kimchi trio and shares the contenders for the final weekend. The main sponsor (Mr. JongRyul Kim from Kimchi) will watch the finals to see who of his top three players will take the main stage on Saturday. The other competitors for top three: Peter Ceulemans and Roland Forthomme.
The four groups of four in the warm-up didn't show big surprises. Jef Philipoom was the only former champion who missed the finals: he finished last in the group with Eddy Merckx, Peter Ceulemans and Wesley de Jaeger. Kurt Ceulemans closed his performance with a nice draw against Caudron and may return in his role as entertainer. Steven van Acker is missing the main event, Ronny Daniels, with real chances to win his last match, could not take the final step.
The matches for the last eight (19.00 and 22.00, De Adelberg in Lommel):
Leppens-Forton
Caudron-Brants
Merckx-Van Havere
Forthomme-Ceulemans.
The ranking of the eight finalists:
1 Eddy Leppens 6-2.033-10
2 Frédéric Caudron 5-2.033-10
3 Eddy Merckx 4-1.505-15
4 Roland Forthomme 4-1.395-10
5 Peter Ceulemans 4-1.358-8
6 Ronny Brants 4-1.244-7
7 Francis Forton 4-1.156-9
8 Davy van Havere 4-1.151-5.
Eddy Leppens topped the ranking after the group stage