Another title for Sam Hagon

REPORT Wednesday 26th June 2024, 10:07pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs Academy

Sam Hagon added the NDL Riders' Championship to his recent British Under-21 victory, defeating Jake Mulford in a run-off after both had scored 14 points. Third place went to Joe Thompson with 12.

There was quite a bit of good racing but it was a long night at a track where, as we saw in the cup tie earlier in the season, they seem to take a relaxed attitude to the length of their meetings.

It was a mixed night for the contenders from the far north representing the Stellar Monarchs. The most frustrated rider would certainly be Connor Coles, who may have been a contender, but who posted pictures during the afternoon of a gridlocked M42 where he was completely stuck with no chance of getting to Poole in time.

Max Perry had a good meeting scoring 10 points, winning the opening heat and just missing out in his next ride when he led all the way only to be pipped on the run to the line by Sam Hagon. This point of course was crucial in Hagon's march to victory.

Dayle Wood was in the thick of things, winning heat 10 which featured also Max Perry and Max James, falling when comfortably second in heat 8 and finishing with 7 points.

It was a struggle for Max James our Championship reserve, representing Leicester Cubs here. He gated very poorly and took a couple of tumbles, and hasn't yet regained his pre-injury form.

Other than the top three, Vinnie Foord was very lively in winning his first three rides (including a defeat of Hagon), though he took a late fall. Sonny Springer had a couple of good wins late on while the fancied Nathan Ablitt spoilt his chances by falling twice.