Basel Cosmopolitans and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli Deliver the Comeback of the Year at GCL Riesenbeck 2026.

From ninth to first. Basel Cosmopolitans wrote GCL history at Riesenbeck with one of the most spectacular comebacks of the 2026 season.

Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois claimed Stage 9 of the Longines Global Champions League at Riesenbeck International, overcoming a difficult first round to crown themselves with a flawless second round. The duo of Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Zascha Nygaard (DEN) left no doubts, two clear rounds combined in 144.70 seconds, enough to dethrone the leaders, Istanbul Warriors, and deliver Basel their first-ever GCL victory.

Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA), No. 5 in the Tu Mundo Ecuestre Latin Show Jumping Ranking, laid the foundation for victory with Ilex, a 13-year-old chestnut KWPN gelding (Baltic VDL x Chin Chin) owned by Bonne Chance Farm and McLain Ward, delivering a clear second round. Zascha Nygaard sealed the triumph with Com’On Drako de Maugre, a 13-year-old chestnut SF stallion (Kannan x Fusain du Defey) owned by Christoph Schockemöhle, with another clean round to complete the remarkable turnaround.

Zanotelli made no secret of his satisfaction: “We’re very, very happy. It was a bit unexpected, to be honest, but we tried to put the pressure on, and it worked out today. In jumping, every rider and every horse has to do their job, and today everyone delivered.” On the championship battle, he added: “It’s been game on from day one. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum going and continue the fight for the championship.”

Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team, who had looked almost unbeatable after producing the only double clear in Round 1, paid the price for two costly rails in the second round from Abdel Saïd and Henrik von Eckermann to finish second with 8 total faults. Doha Falcons completed the podium in third with 14 penalties thanks to Sanne Thijssen and Caroline Rehoff Pedersen.

GCL 2026 Championship Standings after Riesenbeck: