LEICESTER Lion Cubs No.1 Dan Thompson was crowned British Under-19 Champion at Birmingham on Wednesday in his first meeting for over two months after a lay-off due to a dislocated shoulder.
Thompson, who had a spell with the Brummies in the Championship earlier this season, scored 14 points from five rides at Perry Barr which put him into a run-off for the title with Nathan Ablitt.
It was Ablitt who made the better start, but Thompson cut back cleverly off bend two before charging under his rival into bend three, and when Ablitt came to grief Thompson was declared the winner.
Said Thompson: “With this being that first meeting back I knew it was going to be tough. I was really pleased with the way I rode though, and the changes I made along the way.
“Fair play to Nathan as well; I knew before the meeting he was probably going to be my main competitor and I had to keep putting the wins on the board to stay with him.
“I’m glad I’ve been able to win this one in my final year of doing it; I haven’t had much luck in events like this, so to finally get one over the line is a great feeling.”
Thompson’s brother Joe secured the final rostrum place on 12 points by winning his last outing when up against direct rival Ben Trigger, giving the Lion Cubs a one-three on the podium.
Meanwhile several other Lion Cubs were in action in the meeting with Max James scoring seven points, Vinnie Foord scored five and Max Perry picked up four.
But Ashton Boughen missed out for a highly unusual reason – he was unable to get to the meeting due to his van keys not transmitting with his van, which was locked with all of his bikes and tools inside.
The Lion Cubs now prepare for this Saturday’s big double-header at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park (6.30pm) featuring the NDL Grand Final against Oxford followed by the KO Cup Final against Mildenhall.
BRITISH UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP, at Birmingham
1. Dan Thompson 14 - After run off
2. Nathan Ablitt 14
3. Joe Thompson 12
Dan Thompson 14, Nathan Ablitt 14, Joe Thompson 12, Ben Trigger 10, Freddy Hodder 10, Sam McGurk 9, Luke Killeen 7, Max James 7, Luke Harrison 7, Mickie Simpson 7, Jody Scott 5, Vinnie Foord 5, Billy Budd 5, Max Perry 4, Senna Summers 2 Mark Parker 0
