Silver Ski Rocket Robert Mear delivered the most important performance of his relatively brief shale career to head home the pack in Sunday’s World U-21 Qualifier at Rye House.

The Hatfield based 20 year old defeated Darcy Ward in a run-off for first place after both riders had tied on 13 points. The result also takes Mear through to the Semi-Finals, where he will compete either at Miskolc in Hungary (June 20th) or Kumla in Sweden (June 27th). 

Two other Brits made the cut for the Semis alongside him. Tai Woffinden returned to his former stamping ground to provide his trademark display of from-the-back surges and second bend cut-backs. Having racked up four straight wins, a first place finish overall looked firmly in his grasp only for a Heat 17 puncture to intervene.

British U-21 Champion Lewis Bridger, meanwhile, looked down and out after his first two rides were rewarded with just 2 points. As he did in a similar situation in last year’s Semi-Final at Rye House, however, the Young Lion really turned on the style in the closing stages, with three successive wins finally easing him through with a couple of points to spare.

Joe Haines’ hopes, though, lasted less than a lap. The 17 year old was the innocent party when race leader Kai Huckenbeck spun round on the fourth bend of Heat 14, leaving Haines with nowhere to go. The net result, which could have been much worse given the impact of the collision, was a suspected broken hand, possible additional arm injuries and probable concussion. There was a lengthy delay while a second ambulance was called to take Haines to hospital.

Meeting reserve Jamie Courtney filled in for Haines for the rest of the afternoon, and came close to making the cut. The Kart Raceway Cobra enjoyed a race win in a battling 7 point haul that left him just 2 points adrift of a run-off for the last qualification place. Final Brit Lee Smart – a late call-up to replace Belgian Wim Kennis – also impressed with two wins and 7 points of his own.

Joining Mear, Ward, Woffinden and Bridger as through to the Semi-Finals were European U-19 titlist Artur Mroczka and American representative Ricky Wells, who headed home Pawel Zmarzlik and Kozza Smith in a run-off for the sixth and final qualification spot. Zmarzlik will now be a reserve for the next round.                

Results:
Robert Mear 13 (after run-off), Darcy Ward 13, Tai Woffinden 12, Lewis Bridger 11, Artur Mroczka 10, Ricky Wells 9 (after run-off), Pawel Zmarzlik 9, Kozza Smith 9, Jamie Courtney (reserve) 7, Lee Smart 7, Jade Mudgway 6, Pavol Pocko 5, Adam Kajoch 4, Grant Tergoning 3, Kai Huckenbeck 1, Tim Gomez 1, Joe Haines 0.

The second reserve, Matt Bates, did not ride.

The Things They Said: Robert Mear, Darcy Ward, Tai Woffinden

Sunday’s 1-2-3 had the following to say when interviewed on the trophy rostrum:

Robert Mear

“This is the biggest moment of my career so far. It’s the first thing I’ve won, and it feels great. I’d just like to say that the guys alongside me (Darcy Ward and Tai Woffinden) produced some great racing; they deserved to win as well, but I had the luck this time.

“I’m really looking forward to the next round. I’ve not raced abroad before, but hopefully it will go well and I can score some points over there.”

Darcy Ward

“It was a tough meeting. The track was really hard to ride, as Rye House is a tight technical circuit, but the bottom line is that I’m through to the Semis and I’ll see what I can do there.

“I just couldn’t catch Robert (Mear) in the run-off. He was really quick off the start, and I couldn’t quite make up the gap. But that’s racing and I’ll just try to beat him in the Semis.”   

Tai Woffinden

“The track was really nice today. It’s a shame about my last race but I guess that’s just speedway. But well done to the guys who won and got through today. I’m just looking forward to meeting them again in the next round.”