Eurointernational secured its first podium of the 2026 European Le Mans Series season at Spa-Francorchamps, with the Ligier #11 promoted to third position following a post-race technical disqualification.
It was a race full of twists for Max Van Der Snel, Matthew Robert Bell and Douwe Dedecker, who started from P7 but quickly moved through the field and established themselves as one of the leading crews in the LMP3 class.
After three hours of racing, Dedecker took over the wheel with the #11 running in P2, a position the team had held for much of the race. The Belgian driver was therefore set to bring home a potentially outstanding result at his home event. However, a late mistake resulted in a spin and dropped the car down the order.
Despite the setback, Eurointernational recovered to cross the chequered flag in P4. The final classification, however, changed later in the day when the race-winning car was disqualified following a technical infringement, promoting the #11 to third place and giving the Novara-based team its first podium of the season.
For Dedecker, the result carried particular significance as it came at his home race: “A weekend with mixed emotions, but in the end, our first podium of the season at my home race! We started the race from P7, and after three hours of racing I jumped into the car in P2. We had been running second for almost the entire race and were fighting for a great result. Unfortunately, I made a big mistake and spun the car. I’m still really angry with myself for making that mistake, especially because I know how much work the entire team had put in. These things can happen in motorsport, but the hardest part is knowing that the mistake affected the whole team. In the end, we crossed the finish line in P4. Later in the day, the race winners received a penalty, which promoted us to P3. Our first podium of the season, and to achieve it at my home race makes it even more special. A massive thank you to everyone who came out to support us this weekend. Seeing and feeling all that support around the track meant a lot.” said Dedecker.
Positive words also from Max Van Der Snel: “A strong race at Spa-Francorchamps with Eurointernational this weekend! Starting from P7, Matt delivered a solid opening stint of two hours, bringing the car up to P6. After a great pitstopstrategy, I took over and was running in P2 with consistent lap times before handing the car to Douwe. After a challenging final stint, the car crossed the line in P4. Following a post-race disqualification, we were promoted to P3! A big thank you to all our friends, family and sponsors who were there and supported us this weekend! And to the great work of the entire Eurointernational team.”
The podium also has important implications for the championship. The result moves the Eurointernational trio to seventh position in the LMP3 standings with 39 points, now 26 points behind the championship leaders.
With two rounds still remaining and 52 points available, the championship remains wide open. The strong pace demonstrated throughout the season and the first podium of the year provide further motivation for the final part of the campaign.
Eurointernational will now turn its attention to the next round, with the ELMS field heading to Silverstone from September 11–13.
The fight is far from over.
