GROUP I (Indutiomarus, Maximus, Bibax, Victorinus)
Four factiones are represented in this group, and supporters have gathered to come cheer on their heroes. Not much is expected from Bibax, but you never know. The other three contenders offer more excitement. Can Victorinus live up to his newly made reputation? And can Indutiomarus stunt again and show us he's improved for good? And what about Maximus? Condemned to the sub-top forever?
There they go!! Wow, immediately an accident takes place. Bibax, with one wild movement, bumps into Maximus' Centaurus and lashes so hard at the russeus' head that he is flung into the other side of his chariot, causing it to become unstable and crash into the walls. Victorinus tries to pass Bibax but Bibax keeps zigzagging over the sands - strategically drunken, his limited but loyal fanbase claims - while Indutiomarus self-confidently takes the big lead.
Victorinus passes Bibax. Bibax treats the Green chariot on a few of his sparkling whip lashes, but Victorinus is unmoved. Impressive. Bibax shows no signs of frustration, however, and slacks down the road further. Victorinus, cheered on by the Green supporters, tries to catch up with Indutiomarus but to no avail, Indutiomarus wins.
1. Indutiomarus
2. Victorinus
3. Bibax
4. Maximus felt Bibax' whip
GROUP II (Damnator, Callidus, Myrtilos, Morgareth)
Two champions in one group. This sure could give some exciting racing!
Let's see. Callidus, Morgareth and Damnator storm ahead simultaneously, at a quick pace. In no time the three of them enter the sharp curve of the spina, followed closely by Caesar, the tragic Blue. Ah, and there Damnator seems to experience some problems and is forced to draw back. Alas for Caesar, who has caught up with him, he occupies the space between the walls and Damnator's Fulmen Draconis. Damnator repeatedly barges into the Blue chariot and, under the sound of cracking, splintering wood at the shattered hopes of many Veneta supporters, Caesar is powerlessly pushed against the walls. Tragic.
Morgareth is still ahead, but not far. Callidus is second. Doomed to be second, so it seems. Damnator advances and Callidus makes way. Lucky for him: the evil White's whip pulls Morgareth from his "Infernerator" into the sands. A shockwave goes through the aurei, seeing their hero assaulted and eliminated so brutally. Damnator now assumes the lead. Callidus tries hard to catch up, but the race is run: a disappointment and great money loss for those who had a bet running on Morgareth, and another blow for factio Veneta.
1. Damnator
2. Callidus
3. Morgareth was eliminated by Damnator
4. Caesar inspected the walls from a closer distance
GROUP III (Phaethoon, Juba Bane, Hannibal)
Veteran Hannibal from the Greens faces Juba Bane and newcomer Phaethoon. Phaethoon is sponsored by the naturalised Hellene Alexander Dionysius. We'll see how he'll fare. Usually debutants don't do that well, but Victorinus proved in the ludi Diei Natalis that it can be different!
Speed is slowly building in this race. Hannibal ahead of the rest, then Phaethoon and then Juba Bane. Oh, what a tragic accident! Phaethoon, in his second smooth curve round the spina, crashes! The Solar Chariot finds itself rended asunder. Luckily its driver is unharmed. Well, this makes sure that only one Red advances into the semis. There already is a Green, but Hannibal is so wise not to give up this opportunity and finishes this rather non-exciting race as first, with the equally uninspired Juba Bane coming second. Well at least factio Veneta has a contender in the semis!
1. Hannibal
2. Juba Bane
3. Phaethoon encountered the spina
GROUP IV (Myrtilos, PD Robur, Romulus)
Well, this should be a clean race without violence! It seems that we forgot just how freaking fast Romulus is! Even the improved skills and speed of PD Robur are no match for the Purple chariot as he dominantly takes the lead from the start. It seems the battle will be between the Blue and the Golden, unless Romulus makes an unhappy move. But nothing seems to be able to break his grace now. The Purple supporters are entranced, enthralled.
Myrtilos and PD Robur are constantly changing places; neither racer seems to have the edge. Both the noble "Aquila", in sky blue, and the shining "Quadriga Ignis", seem to dance over the sand. It's a pure contest. That's racing at its finest. The Blue and Golden supporters cheer on their racers and urge them to make more speed, some even to just kick the crap out of the other one. But neither PD Robur nor Myrtilos are in for a game of whipping and concentrate on speed. In the last round PD Robur finally gets the advantage and then, after the last bend, emerges second, the gap widening with the exhausted Myrtilos. Romulus has long crossed the finishing line. Is this an omen that the threefold champion will reclaim his rightful place?
1. Romulus
2. PD Robur
3. Myrtilos
*****
Go into the semis:
FACTIO ALBATA: Damnator
FACTIO AURATA: Indutiomarus, PD Robur
FACTIO PRAESINA: Hannibal, Victorinus
FACTIO PURPUREA: Romulus
FACTIO RUSSATA: Callidus
FACTIO VENETA: Juba Bane