REPORT: Ashton battles to third in British Under-21 Final
ASHTON Boughen, representing the Oxford Spires and Cheetahs, finished a stunning third in the British Under-21 Final at Glasgow yesterday afternoon (Sunday).
The 16-year-old former Motocross star, who has only been riding a speedway bike for two years, was right in contention against former champion Leon Flint (21 years old) and ex-Oxford Charger Sam Hagon (19 years old). He scored 12 points in the heats and then won the semi-final by a mile to qualify for the final race.
In the final, Hagon powered around Flint early in the race. Boughen then bounced off the fence on the crest of the third and fourth bends of the opening lap as he looked for a daring outside pass of his two opponents. Amazingly, he barely lost any speed and motored around Flint on the second lap. Boughen switched to the inside in an attempt to pass Hagon and Flint moved back past into second place on the third lap. Flint closed right in Hagon on the final lap, but Leicester and Poole star Hagon – who rode for Oxford Chargers in 2022 – held on to win the championship.
Fellow Oxford riders Luke Killeen and Jody Scott were also in the meeting and both impressed on their way to nine and seven points respectively.
17-year-old Scott – who has started the 2024 season in fine form for Oxford Chargers in the National League – missed the cut for the semi-final by just a couple of points and beat several riders who compete in the level above him in the Championship.
19-year-old Killeen – who rides for both Cheetahs and Chargers and has moved up from reserve for Cheetahs with the publication of the June averages – qualified for the semi-final. He overtook Vinnie Foord to move into third place, but ran out of time in his pursuit of Joe Thompson for a second place that would have clinched his place in the final alongside Boughen.
Boughen said on his Facebook page: “Third overall at the British Youth Under 21s! I slung everything I had into the final race, but coming from gate 3 was always going to be a big ask! I set a new track record which then got broken shortly after by Leon (Flint). I have another five years doing this and today has made me more hungry than ever before! Congratulations to Sam (Hagon).”
SCORES: Leon Flint 14, Sam Hagon 13, Ashton Boughen 12, Vinnie Foord 11, Joe Thompson 10, Luke Killeen 9, Nathan Ablitt 8, Jody Scott 7, Jake Mulford 7, Ben Trigger 6, Ace Pijper 6, Luke Harrison 5, Freddy Hodder 4, Dan Thompson 4, Stene Pijper 3, Mark Parker (res) 1, Mickie Simpson 0, Laylen Richardson (res) 0.
SEMI-FINAL: Boughen, J Thompson, Killeen, Foord.
FINAL: Hagon, Flint, Boughen, J Thompson.
PHOTO: Ashton Boughen in action for Oxford Cheetahs last week (pic: Steve Edmunds)