Austrian wins Volvo CE Operators Club European final

Austrian newcomer Johannes Unger has claimed the Volvo Construction Equipment Operators Club European title 2013 in spectacular style and by just 19 seconds from Swiss nine-time finalist Ueli Hunziker.

Germany's Michael Rosendahl took the final step on the podium, just 22 seconds clear of Austria’s Martin Moser in fourth.

The Final this year featured 22 qualifiers from 11 countries across Europe, who converged on Achstetten, 20 minutes south of the historic town of Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, for the most challenging and hard fought competition in the Club’s 15 year history.

Speaking after his victory, 29 year old Johannes said: “Having joined the 3573 Volvo CE Operators Club at 386 Bauma in 2010, I only this year entered the competition and was thrilled to make it through to the final. Being my first time I had no real expectations and certainly never thought I’d win. To be standing on the podium with the winner’s trophy is really good. It’s been a perfect day.”

Johannes lives in Münster and works for Gubert General Contracting operating a Volvo EC210C excavator.

With finalists from the Czech Republic, Luxemburg, Denmark, Belgium, France, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Italy the competition was the most intense to date.
Simply to establish the starting order the various national finalists were challenged to complete a slalom course on a Volvo DD22 compact roller, with the quickest time claiming the final starting position for the competition proper. This comprised two challenges for all 22 finalists with the best ten then going through to the third and final challenge, the combined time from the three deciding the overall winner.

A Volvo ECR88D excavator; Volvo L70G wheeled loader and Volvo ECR145D short tail swing excavator were used in the challenges.

VP Marketing for Volvo CE Sales Region EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) Mike Humphrey said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate all 22 finalists. This year’s competition saw over 2,000 entrants from across Europe, so to make it to the final in the first place is something of which they should all be extremely proud.

“I am delighted that the Volvo CE Operators Club is giving machine operators both recognition and the chance to socialise and compete against each other. We at Volvo CE are extremely proud of the Club and I am delighted to announce that it will be even bigger in 2014 as Russia will be joining.”