PHOTOS: 2016 British Finals day from Exeter
Graham Robins was duly on hand to capture all the action from an entertaining day at Exeter yesterday.
In the open category, Ben Mould won his first British title, in an incredible last lap change of fortunes, going from last to first, as the leading three riders fell in the final 10 yards to clinch the crown in heat 20.
Coventry’s Myke Grimes had to settle for silver, after looking like becoming the new champion, until the final two seconds of the last race.
Lewis Osbourne, who was caught up in the heat 20 melee, secured the bronze medal with a characteristically consistent performance throughout.
The meeting had many incidents and some big crashes, as no quarter was given, and it was certainly a thrilling finale to an excellent display of Cycle Speedway.
Full report to come…
Open Photos by Graham Robins
In the Women’s event, Exeter’s Lauren Hookway rode to a solid maximum, but was pushed all the way by newly crowned U16 champion, Macie Schmidt.
The pair met in heat 8, with Schmidt threatening throughout and managing to close up any gaps, after a few challenges failed to pull off. Hookway, the reigning European champion, held firm and went on to complete her maximum.
Earlier, Schmidt sensationally gated over Sheffield’s Vicky Brown, which eventually led to her claiming the silver. The World Champion gracefully being the first to congratulate Great Britain’s latest hot prospect on her performance post-race.
Brown was only defeated by Hookway and Schmidt and was well worth her bronze medal to add to her already well decorated collection.
Women’s Photos by Graham Robins
In the Under 16 boys event, Will Tidball underlined his huge potential with a maximum in front of his home crowd, adding to the U13 girls title won by his sister, Rosie, on Saturday.
Sheffield’s Edan Morton, another fine Great Britain prospect, secured the silver medal, putting behind the disappointment of missing the U19s final due to a broken down car.
Ipswich’s impressive Pierce Bacon brought home the bronze medal, giving Ipswich another podium finish in a successful championships.