Brilliant Palin finishes seventh in European Final
HEB Scunthorpe Scorpions’ 16-year-old star Jordan Palin finished joint seventh in the European Under-19 Final in Zarnovica, Slovakia yesterday afternoon (Sunday), despite being one of the youngest riders on display.
The super talented local racer from Beverley was only called up into the competition on Wednesday, but he grabbed the seventh and last qualifying place in the semi-final in Pardubice, Czech Republic on Friday.
The final was held in highly challenging conditions, due to inclement weather, but Palin kept his head when others were losing theirs, and he scored at least one point in every outing to collect a total of seven points.
Palin ended up as the highest-placed UK rider in the competition, with fellow Brit Drew Kemp scoring five points.
Czech Republic rider Jan Kvech won the championship on 14 points, after the previously unbeaten Marcus Birkemose crashed out in Heat 20.
Palin tweeted: “What a great day. A very tricky track to ride after the heavy rainfall just before we started but overall great racing experience gained from the two days of racing.
“A big thank you to my grandad for driving and being my mechanic at such short notice, and also to Neil and Jackie Vatcher for all your help. Thank you to all my sponsors and supporters for your continued support, always appreciated.”
Palin only turned 16 earlier this year, which means he has another three years to win the European Under-19 championship.
Result: Jan Kvech (Czech Republic) 14, Marcus Birkemose (Denmark) 12, Daniel Klima (Czech Republic) 10+3, Esben Hjerrild (Denmark) 10+2, Petr Chlupac (Czech Republic) 9, Ricards Ansviesulis (Latvia) 9, Jordan Palin (Great Britain) 7, Aleksander Kajbusev (Russia) 7, Ernest Matjusonoks (Latvia) 7, Mateusz Cierniak (Poland) 7, Steven Goret (France) (reserve) 7, Drew Kemp (Great Britain) 5, Benjamin Basso (Denmark) 5, David Pacalaj (Slovakia) 3, Francis Gusts (Latvia) 2, Krzysztof Sadurski (Poland) 2, Ben Ernst (Germany) (reserve) 2, Norick Blodorn (Germany) 1.
PHOTO by Ian Rispin
