LEAGUE TABLES: Supertrax Battle of Britain round one

The British Cycling Cycle Speedway Supertrax Battle of Britain series got off to an explosive start on Sunday, with 4 intensely close matches in the elite men and elite junior class.

2017 elite men’s champions, South East and East controlled their home tie in Ipswich against the Midlands by pulling a 14 point lead midway through the first half in a disastrous run of results for the visitors, who picked up three disqualifications in three races.

An otherwise close match on track saw the resurgent Midlands’ pressure soaked up by the South East and East, who kept the visitors at arms length in the action packed fixture and eventually took victory by 102-91.

It was equally close elbow-to-elbow action in the elite junior class, the South East and East, who took a slender 5 point victory by 99-94 against last year’s elite junior champions. 

The visitors started well and took the lead early on, but the SE&E took command of the match and provided the majority of heat winners with the powerful trio of Lewis Brinkoff, Pierce Bacon and Harrison Bacon leading the way for the hosts.

Down in Poole, the North and Scotland secured two excellent victories at Harbourside Park. The elite men’s South West and Wales side had notable absentees and were further hampered by the late withdrawal of Dean Hook through injury.

It went from bad to worse for the home team, when top rider Maciej Ganczarek came off at speed, causing an injured arm and bent forks, which meant he took no further part in the meeting.

The North & Scotland pulled a lead but the South West and Wales staged a comeback in the second half, bringing the scores to just 4 points. However, the North and Scotland held firm and saw out the match by 93-103.

The elite junior class once again provided quality entertainment for the Poole crowd, with each point fought for tooth and nail. An exclusion in heat 11 to South West and Wales captain, Sean Bennett, hampered their challenge, but didn’t prevent them staying in contention by the final two heats.

In the end, the North and Scotland’s talented junior squad prevailed after riding a sensible penultimate race to secure victory.

In summary it was a super first round as the Battle of Britain competition, now in it’s second year, finds its feet in the calendar. South East and East are early favourites for the elite men’s title, but the other regions still have riders to include for future rounds, which could shake things up a bit.

The North and Scotland and South East and East elite junior squads look well matched and their clash in Sheffield on 24 June is one not to be missed.

League tables

2018 SuperTrax Battle of Britain Elite Senior Class

P W D L Pts
North & Scotland 1 1 0 0 2
South East & Eastern 1 1 0 0 2
Midlands 1 0 0 1 0
South & South Wales 1 0 0 1 0

2018 SuperTrax Battle of Britain Elite Junior Class

P W D L Pts
North & Scotland 1 1 0 0 2
South East & Eastern 1 1 0 0 2
Midlands 1 0 0 1 0
South & South Wales 1 0 0 1 0

Photos by Graham Robins and Phil Clarke.