SILVER FOR GB IN RODEN

GREAT Britain fell agonisingly short in their defence of the FIM Long Track of Nations as they finished runners-up to hosts the Netherlands in Roden on Sunday.

GB led the qualifying scores with 65 points compared to their rivals’ 59 ahead of their clash in the winner-takes-all Final.

But they suffered a major blow when Chris Harris retired with mechanical trouble midway through the race whilst battling for the lead with Dave Meijerink.

The victory was still possible but Meijerink held off Zach Wajtknecht for a crucial win with his colleagues coming home safely behind Shanes for the remaining points the Dutch required as they took the race 8-7.

In the regular heats Wajtknecht dropped only one point to an opponent as he scored 27 whilst Harris picked up 21. Shanes and Jake Mulford shared the remaining rides, scoring eight and nine points respectively.