This was the season when Kevin Hansen finally did what he had been threatening to do for some time – step out of the shadow of his world championship-winning brother, Timmy and 14-time European title-winning father, Kenneth, to establish himself as a serious contender for future crowns.
Right from the outset, it was the younger of the Hansen siblings setting the pace in the intra-team battle, courtesy of second place in the Portuguese curtain-raiser at Montalegre. The following two events would be tougher – a semi-final exit after contact with Johan Kristoffersson in Hell, and fourth position due to a mistake in the joker on home soil at Höljes – but following the series’ mid-season switch to the ZEROID X1, the 25-year-old truly came into his own.
After ending Kristoffersson’s hitherto unbeaten SuperPole run on the first day in South Africa and chasing his countryman to the chequered flag in the final, Hansen pipped the multiple world champion to the runner-up spoils 24 hours later, before saving his very best until last in the season finale in Hong Kong.
A sublime victory on the opening day – the third of his career – all-but secured Hansen second in the standings, and while he narrowly missed out on Sunday’s final, by then, the job was already done, as he deservedly toasted his finest campaign to-date at the highest level.
2023 Stats
World RX Starts: 7
Wins: 1
Podiums: 4
Finals Reached: 5
Best Result: 1st
Points: 104
Championship Position: 2nd
Finland
Italy
Hungary