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Last Updated: Nov 28th, 2010 - 10:22:29 |
It was all too easy for the Silver Ski Rockets, who romped past the 60 point mark for the fourth time this season in their chase for a top four finish – and with it a place in the end-of-season promotion play-offs.
Chris Neath and Linus Sundstrom both went through the card – and Stefan Ekberg was beaten only in his sixth and final outing, as the Rockets provided thirteen of the fifteen race wins, racking up no less than eleven heat advantages in the process. There was good support to their “Big Three” in the shape of Robbie Kessler (7+2) and also Kyle Hughes, who warmed up for next weekend’s U-21 World Cup Final with a win and 7 paid points. Completing the Rockets analysis, Paul Starke struggled at the gate, but his tigering efforts were ultimately rewarded with 3 points.
Looking across to the other side of the pits, injuries and other developments have robbed the Potters of a true No.1 this season, and it certainly showed here, with only Lee Smart and Lubos Tomicek able to consistently get to grips with things. Newcomers Frank Facher and Jeremia Thelaus both struggled on their first visit to the circuit – although the German briefly led Heat 13 before Sundstrom and Neath both powered past and he fell on the third bend. Taylor Poole also had a first visit to Rye to forget, although the highly rated 18 year old should progress to better things next time around.
The race of the match came as early as Heat 5, as Smart built clear daylight at the front between himself and Sundstrom. Never one to accept defeat, however, the Swede gradually reeled his opponent in lap-by-lap and finally stormed through for victory on the very last bend.
Rye House scorers:
Linus Sundstrom 14+4 (6 rides, paid maximum)
Stefan Ekberg 16 (6)
Robbie Kessler 7+2 (5)
Jordan Frampton R/R
Chris Neath 15 (5 rides, maximum)
Paul Starke 3 (4)
Kyle Hughes 6+1 (4)
Marc Owen (No.8) dnr
Stoke scorers:
Frank Facher 1+1 (4 rides)
Lee Smart 10 (5 rides, inc 4 as a TR)
Ben Wilson 4 (4)
Taylor Poole 3 (4)
Jeremia Thelaus 2 (4)
Ricky Wells 4+1 (4)
Lubos Tomicek 7 (5 rides, inc 0 as a TR)
Match points: Rye House 3 Stoke 0
Caught in Conversation: Hughes Up For the Cup
Silver Ski Rocket Kyle Hughes is ready to take his place in the Great Britain team that competes in Sunday’s U-21 World Cup Final at Rye House. Before looking ahead to Sunday, though, he looked back on his 2010 campaign as a whole.
“It’s been a strong season overall. I started on a 3.00 average, and I’m in at just over 6 now, so it’s been a dream season overall. I’ve moved up into the main body of the team as well, which is what I said was one of my main goals. Although I’m back at reserve at the moment, when the averages change again, I should be back into the main body again. It looks as though I will finish at No.2 or No.4 in the team, which is really good.
“When I’d previously had a go at the Premier League, I came in half-way through the season, which didn’t really allow me the proper preparation time to get set up for it, both mechanically and mentally. I knew this last winter that I would be both a Premier and National League rider in 2010, so I spent the time psyching myself up and also spending a lot of money on my bikes, and it’s paid off.
“I’ve had four Elite League meetings as well, which is something I would never have dreamed of at the start of the season, so, yes, it’s been a perfect year.”
Now, on to his thoughts on next Sunday and that World Cup Final….
“It’s going to be one of the biggest days of my life, and I’m really looking forward to it.
“There’s quite a lot of pressure. Obviously, I’ve not got the regular experience of riding against Elite League riders, but to be picked in the team gives me that shot. I just need to go for it; it’s on my home track, so there’s no reason I can’t outpace any of them.”
And Kyle’s hopes for the Young Lions overall? “We’ve been wild-carded into the Final because it’s our home track, but I think that we would have qualified anyway because we have a strong team. We stand as good a chance as anybody else, and obviously this is a good British track because it is quite tight and technical. I’m not going to predict who is going to win the Final, but I just hope it is us and that we deliver our best out there.”
Bring It On: FIM U-21 World Cup Final
The next meeting at Rye House is the biggest ever in the track’s history, and also one of the biggest staged anywhere in the 2010 racing calendar.
The FIM U-21 World Cup Final on Sunday, September 5th, promises to be a huge event, and also an incredibly tight one to call. There is certainly a “Rye House” feel to the host nation, with Great Britain’s Young Lions including Silver Ski Rocket Kyle Hughes and former Rockets stars Tai Woffinden and Joe Haines, plus double World U-21 Finalist Lewis Bridger and Sheffield No.1 Josh Auty.
Sweden include the Blond Bombshell Linus Sundstrom, plus Elite League stars Simon Gustafsson (Eastbourne) and Ludvig Lindgren (Wolves), while Denmark feature the likes of Belle Vue’s Patrick Hougaard and Rene Bach of Newcastle. Finally, there’s Poland – who have won Gold in all five previous competitions. They include Artur Mroczka (Poole), Dawid Lampart (Eastbourne) and Przemyslaw Pawlicki (Coventry) in their ranks.
The action starts at 2pm, and runs 25 races. The gates open at 11am, with extra parking available in 6 acres opposite Fisherman’s Way (next to the River Lea). Admission is Adults £20, Seniors £15, Children £5.
The official practice session is the previous day, running from 10am for approximately two hours. Public admission – through the pits gate turnstiles – will be Adults £5, with Children admitted free.
Team line-ups:
Sweden:
Simon Gustafsson, Dennis Andersson, Ludvig Lindgren, Kim Nilsson, Linus Sundstrom
Denmark:
Michael Jepsen Jensen, Rene Bach, Patrick Hougaard, Lasse Bjerre, Peter Kildemand
Great Britain:
Tai Woffinden, Kyle Hughes, Josh Auty, Joe Haines, Lewis Bridger
Poland:
Majiej Janowski, Patryk Dudek, Artur Mroczka, Przemyslaw Pawlicki, Dawid Lampart
Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House
Sunday, September 5th FIM U-21 World Cup Final 2.00pm
Saturday, September 11th Rockets vs Newport (Premier League) 6.00pm
followed by
Cobras vs Newport (National League)
Saturday, September 18th Rockets vs Glasgow (Premier League) 7.00pm
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