WAJTKNECHT IS LONG TRACK CHAMPION

GREAT Britain racer Zach Wajtknecht was crowned FIM Long Track World Champion after a remarkable series finale at Dutch venue Roden.

Former Birmingham, Lakeside and Swindon man Wajtknecht headed up a British one-two ahead of King’s Lynn star Chris Harris as they both overhauled German rider Lukas Fienhage, the overall leader heading into the fourth round.

Fienhage lost points due to an exclusion for a defective dirt deflector after he had won his final qualifying ride, and he failed to make the Final leaving the two British riders to contest the title.

Wajtknecht needed to beat Harris in that race, whilst Harris needed to defeat his fellow countryman by two places, but on the opening lap they looked set for a run-off as Harris held second and Wajtknecht moved into third.

However, Wajtknecht surged around Harris at the end of lap one and was then content to follow Dutchman Dave Meijerink home for second place on the day, which was enough to clinch his first World title, leaving Harris runner-up overall for the second time.

Redcar’s Jake Mulford also showed up well in the meeting with a hat-trick of second places, but he was left to rue an exclusion from his final ride for a starting offence, which cost him the chance of progressing in the meeting.

Photo credit: IAN CHARLES