NEWS: Jordan Jenkins given international call-up
OXFORD star Jordan Jenkins has been rewarded for his eye-catching performances for Cheetahs by being handed his first international cap with Great Britain, which will come this weekend in Finland. The 21-year-old Norwich-born racer will join Chris Harris and Tom Brennan in the FIME European Pairs Semi-Final in Varkaus on Saturday.
Jenkins has been in great form for both Oxford Cheetahs and Chargers this season. He is skipper for the Chargers, the reigning National League Riders’ Champion, and currently tops the NL averages with a figure of 11.04.
Arguably, though, it’s his performances for the senior Cheetahs side which have been even more impressive. Lined up at the tough No 4 riding position, he has scored consistently for table-topping Cheetahs, and has often come up with a match-winning ride in Heat 14. He recorded 11 points in the 54-36 home victory over Edinburgh Monarchs on Wednesday evening, while overall he has scored a total of 107 points in 15 appearances for Cheetahs for a calculated match average of 6.79.
Jenkins also rides for Peterborough in the Premiership and was due to ride for Panthers last night before flying out, but the meeting in Cambridgeshire was rained off.
Jenkins explained: “We’re flying out to Finland from Manchester on Friday morning, and then the European Pairs meeting is on the Saturday. We’re coming back on the Sunday, and then I’ve got a meeting at Wolverhampton on the Monday.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted – to represent my country and put on a Great Britain team suit. I’m looking forward to the experience.
“It is a track I’ve never ridden before, but I feel I adapt well to new tracks. I’m the reserve, but if I’m given a ride or two, I will do everything to make it right.
“The final is at Opole in Poland later in the season, and the main aim on Saturday is to get Great Britain through to that, so that we’re in with a chance of a medal in the final.
“I feel I could have been riding for Great Britain for a while, so it’s great to finally get the chance. My form this year has been good, so I was waiting for the call and now it’s come. I just want to build on it and make it more regular.”
PHOTO: Jordan won Rider Of The Night for his 11-point haul for Cheetahs against Edinburgh on Wednesday night (PIC: Steve Edmunds)