AGONY FOR GB AS POLES TAKE SON2
POLAND were crowned World Under-21 team champions for an incredible 11th successive season – as Great Britain were left to rue their misfortune in Manchester.
GB made a sensational start to the Speedway of Nations 2 event at Belle Vue as Dan Thompson and Leon Flint raced to maximum points in their opening two rides.
But Thompson crashed out in his third outing, suffering a dislocated shoulder, and GB finished just three points outside the rostrum places despite the sterling efforts of Flint and Sam Hagon.
Meanwhile Poland duo Wiktor Przyjemski and Bartosz Banbor clinched the title three points ahead of Sweden, who were left fuming by a controversial exclusion for Philip Hellstrom-Bangs when the two sides met.
The Swedes edged out Australia for silver on a tie-break with Ipswich’s Keynan Rew outstanding for the Roos as he scored 27 of a possible 28 points.
Thompson said: “I was gutted the way it ended. We had such a positive start with two maximums, and me and Leon were both riding really well and making good starts.
“It was my first go in this competition and I couldn’t have started any better. I’m really grateful to Rob (Painter) and Vicky (Blackwell) and everyone for giving me the opportunity, and Steve (Williams) the physio and everyone for helping me.
“I’ve still got that recovery time now, but my season’s not over. I’m not going to throw the towel in, I want to get back for my clubs and be back pushing for the play-offs.”
Photo credit: IAN CHARLES
