British Under-21 Final @ Glasgow

Report

CONNOR Bailey was crowned British Under-21 Champion with a sensational last-to-first ride in the Final at Glasgow on Sunday.

The former Tigers racer made a dream return to Ashfield and completed his charge through the field on the last lap when he stormed inside leader Dan Thompson and then maintained the advantage to the flag.

There was a further change of position on the last bend when Anders Rowe, who had scored a 15-point maximum in the qualifiers, rounded Thompson for second place, leaving Dan Gilkes – who had led the race in the early stages – in fourth.

Bailey said: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I think I knew I was going good so to win the Final isn’t the adrenalin rush I thought it would be.

“Everything went to plan really. The bike was working perfectly and even halfway through the meeting I felt I could keep it going.

“In the Final I knew I just had to keep it up round the outside. I made the worst start of the day. But I just kept plugging away and knew I’d get my chance.

“I had to drive under Dan Thompson into the first bend. It was a risk, one of those crash or trophy moments. Thankfully it was the latter!”

Drew Kemp and Jason Edwards were eliminated from the meeting in the semi-final, whilst defending champion Leon Flint missed out on that race on countback after both he and Kemp scored ten points.

BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL, Glasgow
SCORES: Anders Rowe 15, Connor Bailey 13, Jason Edwards 12, Dan Gilkes 11, Dan Thompson 11, Drew Kemp 10, Leon Flint 10, Sam Hagon 9, Nathan Ablitt 8, Ashton Boughen 6, Sam McGurk 5, Ace Pijper 3, Ben Trigger 3, Jody Scott 2, Mickie Simpson 2, Freddy Hodder 0.
Semi-final: Gilkes, Thompson, Kemp, Edwards.
Final: Bailey, Rowe, Thompson, Gilkes.

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
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Photo credit: IAN ADAM