Watch now - The Insider Stockholm & Paris

This week on The Insider, hosts Marc Lewis and Frederik De Backer look back at the eighth stage of the GCL that marked a famous victory for the hosts and preseason favourites, the Stockholm Hearts Powered by H&M. 

The team, led by Peder Fredricson, exhibited extreme focus throughout the two days, jumping back to back double clears. 

De Backer: "The pressure must have been enormous. Anything less than a win, would've been a disappointment for the team and the fans."

The only team to feature in the top eight of the final standings was Stockholm Hearts. Lewis:" It's great to do well, but it's even more important to do better when your rivals don't perform like Giants, Eagles and Lions."

The conversation around management is discussed on the show, as the pair look to define what constitutes good team management and which teams in Stockholm exhibited such signs.

Lewis: "Management is not about points haul. Good management does not mean winning an event, just like poor management does not mean your team will lose an event." 

De Backer points out that good management is difficult to judge. "The call from Stockholm Hearts to take off Catch Me Not and bring in All In is a good call. The same with Shanghai Swans, for Max Kunher to take off his own superstar Elektric Blue P who had a timefault and go with EIC Cooley To Jump, that's also a good call that worked out well." 

The call of the Istanbul Sultans to ride an aggressive inside line that cost them a fault, was seen as poor management. As were the rider and horse decisions taken by the Berlin Eagles and Prague Lions.

This week's three nominees for the Star Jumper award were announced:

Zoe Conter

Max Kunher

Laura Klaphake

The show also offers a bonus segment highlighting the mid-season transfers that have taken place. With the signings of Marlon Zanotelli and Martin Fuchs, the Swans have strengthened their team tremendously and must now be seen as serious title contenders. 
 

The GCL next moves to Paris for Round 9 from June 24th - 26th. To find out more about the Global Champions League, watch this week's episode of The Insider for free with your GCTV Access Pass!