Thaysen claims a Double

Christian Thaysen completed his 85cc career in the best possible way when he completed the perfect double inside a week. Just seven days after having been crowned the FIM Europe 85cc European Champion in Rybnik, Poland, the young Dane returned to home Danish shale and added the FIM Speedway Youth Gold Trophy 85cc title in another brilliant display.

Thaysen is among a batch of Danish junior riders, coached by former World Speedway Champion Eric Gundersen that has now reached the age of 15 and so will immediately now make the step up the next level - the fast growing and emerging 250cc class of junior speedway racing.

With the Gold Trophy Final staged at the superbly appointed Skaerbaek Stadium, the 15 year old was able to use his full knowledge and home track advantage, as he is a member of the SMK Skaerbaek Motor Club which has been producing some of the best young Danish speedway talent since starting operations in 1974.

After opening up with two sharp wins, Thaysen had his colours lowered by Matias Nielsen in heat 12, so the destination of the title was not decided until the final race of the programme where he lined up against Jonas Seifert-Salk with both riders having dropped only one point. It was Thaysen that emerged the winner of the four lap dual, and he was mobbed by his family and supporters from a sizeable crowd of over 700 present to watch this event that is now in its fifteenth year since being added to the FIM calendar in 2001.

The crestfallen Jonas Seifert Salk didn’t let the defeat in the decider deter him, as he took victory in the run off against fellow Dane Benjamin Basso to finish with the runner’s up FIM trophy and silver medal.

Although the Danes dominated the top positions in the final classification they were probably pressed harder this year than for some time as riders from six other nations earned their places on merit from the two semi finals staged at Skaerbaek on the previous day.

Surprise performers of the weekend were the two young Australian riders Keynan Rew and Max Gilmore. With very little experience on 85cc bikes they flew from Down Under, purchased a couple of complete second hand bikes in Denmark, had a few practice sessions during the week before then threw a few boomerangs into the Danish spokes. Both young Aussies could have finished higher, as they both lost points through falls and sheer over enthusiasm. None more so than Max Gilmore in heat 15 when he burst from last to first, but then with the win seemingly in his pocket he slid off on the final turn and was unfortunately disqualified. Such was the entertainment he provided that the FIM Jury selected Max for the special prize awarded for completing what was by far the most exiting ride of the day.  

FINAL SCORES
1.Christian Thaysen-DMU-Denmark 14
2.Jonas Seifert-Salk-DMU-Denmark 13 +3
3.Benjamin Basso-DMU-Denmark 13 +2
4.Matias Nielsen-DMU-Denmark 10
5.Mads Hansen-DMU-Denmark 9
6.Esben Hjerrild-DMU-Denmark 9
7.Morten Piepenbrink-DMU-Denmark 8
8.Jonas Knudsen-DMU-Denmark 8
9.Keynen Rew-MA-Australia 7
10.Matthew Gilmore-MA-Australia 6
11.Marius Nielsen-DMU-Denmark 5
12.Alexander Woentin-SVEMO-Sweden 5
13.Arttu Pentinmaki-SML-Finland 4
14.Kasper Faarkrogh-DMU-Denmark 4
15.Lukas Baumann-DMSB-Germany 2
16.Erik Ivarsson-SVEMO-Sweden 1
17.Antti Voulas-SML-Finland 0