YOUNG LIONS ROAR IN MACON!
GREAT BRITAIN boss Olly Allen praised the “tenacity” of his young side in the FIM European Pairs Semi-Final.
Images courtesy of Steve Hone Photography
Cairns, Luke Harrison and Cooper Rushen finished second behind Denmark to comfortably reach the Final in Macon, France on Saturday.
It was an outstanding performance to end on 22 points, five behind the Danes with Cairns scoring 15, Harrison 5 and Rushen 2.
Allen had boldy chosen to stick with the Speedway of Nations 2 trio for a senior event for the first time.
Cairns was the star of the show as he remained unbeaten in all his five rides, including a stunning pass and re-pass of Italy’s Paco Castagna.
Allen said: “It was a wonderful performance from all three of the boys. They showed so much tenacity throughout.
“This was actually not a qualification exercise, more of an experience venture. But they came through with flying colours.
“I felt after the Speedway of Nations 2 that I could help all three of the lads. That was definitely the case. I learnt more about them on this trip and all three have so much potential.
“For them to be delivering this sort of maturity and result at such a young age is terrific.
“I love the dynamic of how they all work together. They get on great and I’m also impressed with how they work with their parents in the pits. They are all a pleasure to deal with.
“Will produced that excellent ride with Paco but Cooper also led the Danes and was passed by Mads Hansen.
“He then had the beating of Mikkel Andersen but instead chose to try and go to re-pass Hansen and he lost second place.
“That’s just down to race management. I admire his eagerness to be an all-out racer.
“All three lads are doing so well right now. Cooper is now in the main body of the team in both his sides in the UK yet this is his first professional season.
“Will has definitely gone up a level over the past month. He’s produced big performances in the European Under-19, SGP2 Qualifier and now in this Pairs Semi-Final.”
Allen insists that the experience the youngsters are gaining is priceless.
He added: “This is not a new process. We’ve seen Tom Brennan and Leon Flint race in these meetings regularly and they made such huge strides.
“For Will, Luke and Cooper to get this know-how on continental tracks and big international meetings at such an early age is phenomenal. Especially as they are holding their own and competing so strongly.
“Some of the riders in this meeting are regulars in the Polish Ekstraliga. Yet they are winning races and finishing second overall. It was a great job.”
The FIME European Pairs Championship Final is on October 10 in Grudziadz, Poland.
Result:
Denmark 27
Great Britain 22
Italy 21
Norway 19
Slovenia 14
Netherlands/Hungary 12
France 11
Luke Harrison 5
Will Cairnes 15
Cooper Rushen 2
This was actually not a qualification exercise, more of an experience venture. But they came through with flying colours. “I felt after the Speedway of Nations 2 that I could help all three of the lads. That was definitely the case. I learnt more about them on this trip and all three have so much potential. “For them to be delivering this sort of maturity and result at such a young age is terrific.
Olly Allen - Team Manager
