GB ANNOUNCE FIME EURO U24 TEAM

The national side go into the FIME European Under-24 Championship Final in Grudziadz, Poland on Saturday.

New British No.3 Leon Flint leads the side with Cooper Rushen, who finished an outstanding fourth in Manchester, also in the team.

They are joined by Dan Thompson, Will Cairns and Luke Harrison.

GB are up against Poland, Denmark and Sweden in a meeting packed with the world's best young talent.

Vatcher admitted: “I’m very proud to see Leon and Cooper on the podium at the British Final.

“They started out in the Youth Championship system when they were still at school. To see that progress end up on the podium is a very special moment.

“The development of all these boys has come from the Youth Championship.

“It underlines that our system is working. Now they are maturing into world class riders. It also emphasises the importance of the European events we are competing in and getting so much experience from.

“Leon and Dan are now established as solid scorers in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

“Will, Cooper and Luke are all making a huge impression at a very early age. Their potential is absolutely massive.

“That’s why meetings of this calibre are so important to get them used to the biggest international events on continental tracks.

“We do have so much talent in our ranks. Sadly we don’t have the same quantity as the Poles, Danes and Australians. But we are developing some terrific riders.

“It will be very tough in Grudziadz. But we go seeking a medal as we always do.

“We do have a concern over the fitness of Dan after his big crash at Northampton on Monday night.

“But we go into the event full of confidence when you consider how good Leon and Cooper were in the British Final. Will and Dan were also excellent so we know what they are capable of.”