Jordan Palin in European Under-19 Final

HEB Scunthorpe Scorpions’ 16-year-old rising star Jordan Palin will ride in the European Under-19 Final in Zarnovica, Slovakia later today (Sunday).

On Wednesday, Jordan received a late call-up to the semi-final in Pardubice in the Czech Republic on Friday, with British Youth boss Neil Vatcher praising the Palin family for how they were able to commit themselves at such late notice.

Jordan then didn’t waste his chance, finishing in seventh place in a rain-affected meeting at Pardubice on nine points. A crucial win in his last ride lifted him into the final qualifying position – which had become available after the unfortunate Tom Brennan was forced to withdraw from the final due to a broken collarbone.

He will be joined by fellow Brit Drew Kemp in Slovakia, who finished fourth at Pardubice on 12 points. Leon Flint (6) and Jason Edwards (2) missed out.

Jordan tweeted after the semi-final: “I came to the semi-final today wanting to give my absolute best representing Great Britain. To qualify is amazing – I am really looking forward to the final now. Thank you everyone for your help and support.”

Palin was 16 in February. In contrast, most of his competitors on Friday were 17, 18 or even 19 if they were born earlier this year.

Everyone at Scunthorpe Speedway congratulates Jordan on qualifying for the final and we wish him the best of luck in Slovakia.

Semi-final result in Pardubice: 1 Ernest Matjuszonok 14, 2 Petr Chlupac 12+3, 3 Esben Hjerrild 12+2, 4 Drew Kemp 12+1, 5 Daniel Klima 11, 6 Ricards Ansviesulis 11, 7 Jordan Palin 9 (all qualify for final), 8 Steven Goret 8+3, 9 Ben Ernst 8+2 (qualify as reserves).

Final line-up: 1. Ernest Matjuszonok (Latvia), 2. Daniel Klima (Czech Republic), 3. Aleksandr Kajbuszew (Russia), 4. Marcus Birkemose (Denmark), 5. Mateusz Cierniak (Poland), 6. Petr Chlupac (Czech Republic), 7. Francis Gusts (Latvia), 8. Norick Bloedorn (Germany), 9. David Pacalaj (Slovakia), 10. Jan Kvech (Czech Republic), 11. Jordan Palin (Great Britain), 12. Ricards Ansviesulis (Latvia), 13. Drew Kemp (Great Britain), 14. Benjamin Basso (Denmark), 15. Esben Hjerrild (Denmark), 16. Kacper Pludra (Poland). Reserves: 17. Steven Goret (France), 18. Ben Ernst (Germany).

PHOTO: Jordan Palin, after winning the 500cc class of Round 1 of the British Youth Championship at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Sunday (pic: Ian Rispin).