GERMANY’S Michael Brauchle is the new individual European driving champion, after putting everything on the line in the final phase of the European championships to win the marathon and overtake Dutch driver IJsbrand Chardon in the individual standings.

The bronze individual medal went to Koos de Ronde (NED) and the combined scores of Chardon and de Ronde, together with 11th placed Theo Timmerman meant the Dutch claimed team gold again.

Brauchle was in fifth place, 56 seconds behind overnight leader Chardon, after the dressage and cones and decided to really go for it in the marathon, his favourite phase of the competition.

Brauchle set the fastest times in six of the obstacles on the final day and was second and third fastest in the remaining two, leaving his opponents far behind him.

“I was able to use my best wheeler horse again, which I had to miss in the previous two competitions,” Brauchle said. “I started very fast and the horses got better and better after each obstacle. I drove at full risk, then I am at my best!”

More than 58 seconds faster than Chardon, Brauchle’s incredible performance eased him ahead of his Dutch rival by the slimmest of margins (0.21), to give him victory in the marathon and his first ever individual gold medal.

Brauchle’s compatriot Christoph Sandmann was lying 12th going into the final phase and set top times in nearly all obstacles, securing second place in this competition and helping the German team to the silver medal.

Koos de Ronde’s third place finish gave him his second individual bronze medal at the European championships, having taken bronze in 2011.

The team standings mirrored the 2013 results. The Dutch defended their team title, while the German hosts fought hard and took home the silver medal again, while the Hungarians slotted into third for the bronze.