Poole's Hagon holds his nerve to lift National Development League Riders' Championship

Super Sam Hagon added to his bulging trophy cabinet on home shale, as he lifted the National Development League Riders' Championship.

The Poole Pirates charger sealed the spoils at Wimborne Road to go with the British under-21 crown he won earlier in the campaign.

Having been beaten in his opening ride by Poole teammate Vinnie Foord, Hagon responded to total 14 points from his five programmed rides.

That set up the opportunity for him to race off against Middlesbrough’s Jake Mulford for the crown, wowing the home crowd with a comfortable victory in the decider.

Hagon said: "After the first ride I thought I was completely out of it. It was everyone's game and I was the one that fluffed it in my first race.

“The track was good towards the end but at the start it was too wet. As you saw, there were a lot of crashes and the leaders were miles in front and everyone else struggling at the back.

“Towards the end of the night it was brilliant and we kind of changed a couple of bits and it kind of showed where I was.

“I think I got a bit fortunate in Vinnie losing a couple but he beat me fair and square and he was going good until the track began to get better and unfortunately he got beat up a little bit.

“That is the good thing about these events. There are 20 heats and you don't often see riders max out, especially at this level where we are all pretty young.

“So all I needed to do after my first one was to get some wins and to be fair to Max Perry he rode pretty good and I just got lucky in beating him to the line in my second race. That kind of kept me in it."

?? SAMMY H ON FIRE

?? Sam Hagon wins the National League Riders' Championship at Wimborne Road after overcoming Jake Mulford in a run-off for top spot

Joe Thompson picks up the bronze

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— Poole Pirates Speedway (@poolespeedway) June 26, 2024

Former Pirate Joe Thompson finished third on the night.

Poole promoter Danny Ford added: “We kind of knew we had to sacrifice the first round of heats because we knew that we had to get as much water as possible into the track as there was a real threat that on such a lovely summer day, probably the best of the year, the track would dry out and get too dusty.

“I feel that we averted that and so a big thanks to the track staff for all their efforts. I was quite impressed with several of the riders on show and that has given me some food for thought for the future."