MULFORD RECLAIMS LONG TRACK CROWN

REDCAR’S Jake Mulford has been crowned FIM Long Track U23 World Cup champion for the second time in his career.

Mulford, who previously took the title in 2024, swept to victory at Dutch venue Roden in a meeting which saw two British riders on the podium as it was a successful introduction to International level for Workington and Leicester Lion Cubs youngster Max Perry, who finished a very impressive third.

Mulford, who will also be with King’s Lynn in the NDL this year, raced to wins in four of his five qualifying races, missing out only when he was excluded for exceeding the time allowance in his fourth ride.

That meant French racer Tino Bouin collected two more points in the qualifiers, but Mulford superbly took the honours ahead of Bouin in the Final, with Perry taking third place despite an exclusion for breaking the tapes in his first ride.

A third British rider, Ashton Vale was classified tenth on the day, whilst Ashton Boughen – who rode for King’s Lynn and Glasgow last year – was a sensational winner on his FIM Flat Track World Championship debut at the same venue.

Photo credit: JESPER VELDHUIZEN