U19s GO CLOSE IN PILA

THE Great Britain Under-19 team of Ashton Boughen, Luke Harrison and reserve Freddy Hodder just missed out on an FIM Bronze medal at the Polish track of Pila on Sunday morning.

The Pairs event had been rearranged after being postponed following heavy rain on Saturday, and it went down to a run-off for third place involving three nations.

Boughen, in only his fourth meeting riding in Europe, was in sensational form winning four of his six heats which included the fastest race time of the day – and he then secured a fantastic win against the Polish team, where Boughen re-passed SGP2 rider Bartosz Banbor in the only race the hosts did not win.

Harrison, making his European debut riding a 500cc motorcycle, managed a credible three second places including a maximum heat win against the Ukraine team.

Each of the tied nations – GB, Denmark and Czech Republic – nominated one rider for the run-off, but although Boughen made a great start it was the Danish rider Bastian Pedersen who won the heat to claim the bronze, whilst GB ended in fourth overall as Boughen finished ahead of Czech racer Jan Jenicek.

GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “Although it was heartbreaking to just miss out on a bronze medal, all three British riders have another two years racing in this competition, so it bodes well for future competitions at this level.”