Hatfield's Mearkat goes wild at chance to take on the world
HATFIELD speedway ace Robert Mear labelled his World Under-21 qualifying round triumph as the biggest moment of his career. The 20-year-old Rye House Rockets rider from Briars Lane beat Australian Darcy Ward in a run-off for first place at his home trac
HATFIELD speedway ace Robert Mear labelled his World Under-21 qualifying round triumph as the "biggest moment" of his career.
The 20-year-old Rye House Rockets rider from Briars Lane beat Australian Darcy Ward in a run-off for first place at his home track in Hoddesdon.
This was after they had finished the meet tied on 13 points.
Former British U21 champion and ex-Rye House Rockets favourite Tai Woffinden was third.
The result takes Rocket man Mear through to the semi-finals of the World U21 competition.
Speaking after his super success, the former Onslow St Audrey's School pupil said: "This is the biggest moment of my career so far.
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"It's the first thing I've won, and it feels great.
"I'd just like to say that the guys alongside me [Darcy Ward and Tai Woffinden] produced some great racing; they deserved to win as well, but I had the luck this time."
The wins puts the Mearkat through to the semi-finals of the World Under-21 competition, which are to be in held Hungary on June 20 and Sweden seven days later.
Of that trip oversees, Mear added: "I'm really looking forward to the next round.
"I've not raced abroad before, but hopefully it will go well and I can score some points over there."
Also through to that stage is the man Mear finished just ahead of in the qualifier.
Aussie Darcy Ward said of Sunday's competition: "It was a tough meeting.
"The track was really hard to ride, as Rye House is a tight technical circuit, but the bottom line is that I'm through to the semis and I'll see what I can do there."
Speaking about his rival from Times Territory, he added: "I just couldn't catch Robert [Mear] in the run-off.
"He was really quick off the start, and I couldn't quite make up the gap.
"But that's racing and I'll just try to beat him in the semis."
Mear was not the only Rockets rider in the event.
His team-mate and friend Joe Haines was also competing, however this did not go to plan for the Bolton Wonder.
The 17-year-old's hopes lasted less than a lap.
He crashed after heat leader Kai Huckenbeck spun in heat 14.
