DEBRECEN AGONY FOR CAIRNS

GREAT Britain’s William Cairns was cruelly denied a shot at European 250cc title glory by a mechanical failure.

Cairns was leading his last heat of the Final at Debrecen, a result which would have put him into a three-rider run-off for the title, when a broken chain link put him out of the race and denied him even a place on the rostrum.

With a 10-point score including three race wins, Cairns had to settle for a 4th place finish overall.

Cooper Rushen had a mixed afternoon after a big fall in his first heat. He bravely continued thereafter and ended up with five points which included a win in his third heat – and due to his never-say-die efforts he became a big favourite of the Debrecen locals, all of whom gave him a rapturous reception after his last heat on his warm down lap.

Poland’s Maksymilian Pawelczak claimed the title after defeating Villads Pedersen of Denmark in the run-off to add the European title to his SGP3 win a week ago.

Meanwhile Karol Szmyd, also of Poland, denied Cairns a place on the rostrum with an 11-point score as he claimed the bronze medal.