LEICESTER stage a big meeting for the sport’s upcoming talent when they host the British Under-21 Qualifier at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Sunday (3pm).
Eight qualification places are available for the British U21 Final which takes place at Redcar next month, and competition is likely to be fierce.
Three current Lion Cubs riders are included in the line-up, and all will fancy their chances of progression based on form so far this season.
Ryan Ingram has been making great strides at Championship level with Scunthorpe, Max Perry has recently secured a second tier spot with Workington, and Seth Norman has performed strongly in his first season in the NDL at the age of 15.
Other likely contenders are Edinburgh’s Jordy Loftus, who rode for the Fox Cubs in the second half of last season, Senna Summers of the Oxford Chargers, and Middlesbrough’s impressive teenager Charlie Southwick.
Former Lion Cubs rider Cooper Rushen would undoubtedly have been the meeting favourite, but he has now already secured a place in the Final following the withdrawal of Ben Trigger.
British Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “In the last two seasons this Qualifier has been held at Plymouth and has never been short of some fantastic racing, where none of these Young Lions know when they have been beaten.
“For many of the competitors this will be the biggest meeting of their season, and I expect a fantastic event, and it’s one that I have been looking forward to since the start of the season.
“Our thanks to the Leicester promotion for hosting us, and we will look forward to coming back in early July for the British Youth Championship.”
The meeting format is 20 races, with each rider having five outings. The top eight qualify for the British U21 Final, and a run-off will be staged if there is a tie for the final qualifying place.
Normal NDL admission prices apply for the meeting - £15 adults, £13 concessions, £5 children (12-16), £1 children (5-11). Supporters should note that as this is a shared event and not a Lion Cubs fixture, the normal concessions for Lions season ticket holders and WSRA members do not apply.
The meeting will also be live streamed via Lions TV, with passes available at: https://www.leicesterlionstv.com/ .
LINE-UP: Lee Harrison, Stene Pijper, Jordy Loftus, Jamie Etherington, Kenzie Cossey, Ollie Binns, Seth Norman, Owen Booth, Laylen Richardson, Senna Summers, Max Perry, Harrison Rogers, Harry Fletcher, Charlie Southwick, Harry Sadler, Ryan Ingram. Reserves: Dylan Huthwaite, Liam Greens.
