YOUNG LIONS SEEK SON2 REDEMPTION IN MANCHESTER ON FRIDAY

Great Britain Under-21 star Sam Hagon believes the Young Lions can go from agony to ecstasy as they race for redemption in the FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 in Manchester on Friday.

Eight countries face off over a marathon 28 heats, with the highest-scoring team crowned FIM Team Speedway Under-21 world champions at the National Speedway Stadium.

GB take on 16-time champions Poland, who head into the event chasing an 11th straight gold medal, as well as teams from Denmark, Latvia, Australia, Germany, Czech Republic and Sweden, who return to the competition for 2024.

The Brits finished seventh and last in the 2023 SON2 event in Riga – a result which threatened to leave them out of the competition for 2024. But with Manchester named as host city for the tournament, the Young Lions qualify as host nation and are determined to take full advantage.

Hagon lines up at No.3, joining forces with SGP2 FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship rider Leon Flint and the in-form Dan Thompson. 

While countries like Poland and Denmark have three SGP2 stars in their starting line-up, Hagon sees no reason why the Brits can take the fight to their rivals on the Manchester track where he races for Belle Vue Colts in the WSRA National Development League. 

As with the senior FIM SON, countries select three riders – two starters at No.1 and No.2 and a reserve at No.3, who can be brought into action at any time by the team manager.

While Hagon knows GB Under-21 boss Neil Vatcher has three in-form riders all capable of scoring points, he also admits teamwork is vital in a competition where avoiding last places is crucial. “I think we need competition,” he said. “But with the SON, you also need to be consistent with the team. That’s where you win it. If you get second and third, second and third all night, you get points and you can win. That’s all we need to do on the day.” 

Poland starts among the favourites for victory, tracking a side featuring the top two riders in the 3P Logistics FIM SGP2 of Sweden – Malilla on June 14 – Wiktor Przyjemski and Bartosz Banbor, with their SGP2 rival Jakub Krawczyk at No.3.

The Danes also name three SGP2 stars in captain Jesper Knudsen and Bastian Pedersen, with Villads Nagel listed as their No.3.

Returning to the competition for 2024, Sweden bids to bounce back from its relegation following a last place in the 2022 competition. Their challenge is led by SGP2 duo Philip Hellstrom-Bangs and Casper Henriksson, with 2023 FIM SGP3 250cc world champion Rasmus Karlsson stepping up into international 500cc action at No.3.

The Aussie side is led by Keynan Rew – fourth in the 2023 SGP2 series – while the German team features Norick Blodorn, who competes on his British home track in Manchester.

The Czech challenge is spearheaded by 17-year-old sensation Adam Bubba Bednar, with 2023 bronze medallists Latvia tracking Daugavpils duo Nikita Kaulins and Artjoms Juhno as they race without injured top gun Francis Gusts.

Hagon expects an exciting battle for gold and admits one of the beauties of under-21 action is that riders – no matter which nation they represent – could be inconsistent on the night. But he hopes the Brits will impress in Manchester.

He said: “At a young age, we are all going to be inconsistent – every team. If you are very consistent at a young age, you are going to go very far in the future. The aim for me is just to be consistent on the day.

“Me, Dan and Leon are all experienced around there. We all go well in Manchester. The fans can make us go well too. You always try hard; no matter how many people are in the stands, but when you have a good crowd there, it gives you that feeling that you want to do well for GB. The feeling is always better.”