LEON FLINT wants to “do his job” and retain the British Under-21 title at Glasgow.
The Wolves and Berwick star goes into the Championship as favourite at Ashfield Stadium today, live on BSN.
Flint faces a tough field including the cream of British hot prospects but he is confident of keeping the trophy.
He said: “I want to be a professional speedway riders, it’s what I love and while at times it can be hectic there is nothing I would rather be doing.
“The way I look at it for the British final is that I have 15 rivals all looking to win. If I do my job on the day then there’s nothing they can do about it.
“Scoring a maximum at Redcar in the 19s and then again at Birmingham in the under-21 as well as the night’s final was something special and one of those things that not many have ever managed.
“Don’t get me wrong I’d love to do it again but the most important thing is to make sure I’m on the line for the final with the best gate pick possible.
“Quite a few people have said they’ll be at Glasgow on Sunday cheering me on – that’s the great thing about being at Berwick the supporters are always behind you – and I’m determined to give them something to shout about.”
Ace Pijper admits he will “give it everything” on his home circuit. The 16-year-old Glasgow star knows it will be a tough event on his home track.
He said: “The biggest thing I am learning off other riders is how to prepare for meetings and deal with the pressure or nerves.
“After I won my first race for Glasgow this season I just felt that if I could do it once, I could do it again.
“I’ve come back down to earth a bit a few times since. But that’s all part of the process. I’ve got to deal with the low points and just forget about them and move onto the next race.
“You can’t change what has happened before, you can only change what you do next time to win the race or do better or not make the same mistake.
“Every rider has gone through it at some stage in their career and I guess you never stop learning.
“It’s pretty cool that I’m getting to experience so much at a young age. I’m now racing in the Championship, in big meetings like the British Under-19 and British Under-21 and in the BSN Final.
“It’s all happening pretty quick so there’s a lot to take in. I will do my best, work hard and give it everything.”
British Under-21 Championship Final draw:
1. Ace Pijper, 2. Freddy Hodder, 3. Ben Trigger, 4. Sam Hagon, 5. Nathan Ablitt, 6. Drew Kemp, 7. Sam McGurk, 8. Dan Thompson, 9. Mickie Simpson, 10. Dan Gilkes, 11. Leon Flint, 12. Jody Scott, 13. Jason Edwards, 14. Ashton Boughen, 15. Anders Rowe, 16. Connor Bailey.
Reserves: 17. Max Perry, 18. Kai Ward.
Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.