Home rider Jesper Knudsen was the winner of an eventful FIM Speedway Youth World Championship Final held this weekend in Denmark. Silver medal went to last year’s champion Ben Ernst from Germany with Sweden’s Noel Wahlqvist from Vastervik in third place after a tight battle with Pole Wiktor Przyjemski in the Final.
The competition, open to riders aged between 13 and 17 on 250cc engines, was held over two days with 32 riders racing two semi-finals on Saturday and the top scorers qualifying for the Final on Sunday. Prior to that all competitors were given a presentation as part of the Track Racing Commission’s Youth Development Project from FIM officials Jury President Pavel Ondrasik and Referee Suzanne Neuhäuser.
With heavy rain threatening, the semi-finals were run speedily thanks to the efficiency of the organisers and the cooperation of the competitors and practice was limited to one free session. Winner of the first qualifier was Norwegian Mathias Pollestad after a run off with Sweden’s Casper Henriksson after both had tied on 14 points. Unluckiest competitor was Czech Pavel Kuchar who was forced to withdraw after a Heat 5 crash left him with a suspected broken shoulder. Ernst was the clear winner of the second semi-final with a 15 point maximum before the promised rain arrived.
Unfortunately the rain continued overnight making the track at Holstebro waterlogged and despite the efforts of track staff it became clear that racing would not be possible. Instead, the Organisers with the agreement of the FIM Jury, decided to transfer Sunday’s event to Holsted 115km away and riders, officials, back up teams and volunteers made the one and a half our drive to the new venue where racing finally started at 20.30. Once again sterling work from the organisers ensured that the meeting was completed in the evening sun at Holsted Speedway Center and all are to be congratulated for their part in a successful Final.
Graham Brodie