BRITISH SPEEDWAY JUNE 26, 2022

(SPEEDWAY 1)

LEICESTER’S LANDSLIDE VICTORY

LEICESTER hit back from their defeat at Glasgow with a comprehensive 62-28 victory over Birmingham at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena.
The Lions dominated the local derby and started with four 5-1s in the first five races – their only dropped points coming with Richie Worrall fell whilst leading Heat 3.

Nick Morris (14), Kyle Howarth (10+1) and Worrall (10) all scored double figures for the home side, with Justin Sedgmen picking up 10 for the Brummies, and guest Tom Brennan was the only rider to beat Morris.

Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “It was a perfect response to Friday, three points in the bag, and it was a good, strong one-to-seven team performance.

“We had a chat on the track walk as we always do, but the riders didn’t need talking to too much.
“The plan of attack was that good teams need to bounce back and show what they’re made of, so we didn’t go overboard on it, because we know we’re a good side and we know we’re pretty strong around here.”

Brummies manager Laurence Rogers said: “It was a bad night all round, and I don’t think the track was to anybody’s liking in the beginning.
“They did a lot of track work to make it raceable and there were a lot of problems for people on the top bend. All credit to them, they pulled it back round, but it was a tough night for us.

“The Heat 14 ride by James Pearson was unbelievable. He sat there all that time waiting for another ride, and then he went and won one, which shows the quality the boy’s got for the future.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

MILDENHALL finally get to race their first home NDL match of the season when they host Leicester at West Row today (Sunday).
The Fen Tigers have picked up five points from three matches on the road, and now face the second-placed Lion Cubs who currently trail leaders Berwick by nine points with three matches in hand.

The home side are without Alex Spooner due to an arm injury and they will operate rider replacement, whilst the Lion Cubs return to full strength with Max Perry back from a broken collarbone.

Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “Whilst Mildenhall is always a tough away challenge, again the aim as we travel to West Row will be to pick up away points of some kind.
“And helping us in our solidity and strength, it’s great to have Max back on track for the Lion Cubs. He’s itching to get back into competitive racing and continue his first NDL campaign.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

GREAT Britain Youth boss Neil Vatcher has selected Nathan Ablitt, Harry McGurk and Sam Hagon for the first FIM European Under-19 qualifier at Zarnovica on July 30.

The other qualifier takes place at Czech Republic venue Plzen on September 3, which will feature Jordan Palin and Leon Flint.

Vatcher explained: “It is a strange decision for FIM Europe to put the first qualifier on the day after the FIM SON 2 Final, which is the Team Final for the World Under-21 Riders.

“With the SON2 taking place in Denmark on July 29 and the Under-19 qualifier the next day in Slovakia, there’s no possibility of any riders selected to ride in the SON event being able to compete in Slovakia the next day.

“It would not be possible for either Leon or Jordan to take part in Slovakia as they are likely to be included in the GB SON2 squad, and therefore these two riders will take their place in Plzen in September.

“Nathan took part in this competition last season and did himself proud when he competed in Divisov in the Czech Republic, and now along with Harry is competing in the Championship league on a weekly basis, so they deserve their chance.

“As for Sam, I must say he has really impressed me this year in the NDL and it is only a matter of time before he gets a chance in the Championship.”
Vatcher also confirmed Dan and Joe Thompson declined the offer of a place in this competition as they wish to focus on their domestic fixtures at this time.

The final of the FIME European Under-19 Championship takes place in Hungary on September 19.

(FIXTURES)

MONDAY JUNE 27:
PREMIERSHIP: Sheffield v Ipswich 7.30, Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30

TUESDAY JUNE 28:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth v Glasgow 7pm