Two former Workington riders just missed out on the title after finishing second and third at last night’s British Final.
Dan Bewley took second place with Charles Wright in third behind Adam Ellis who was crowned British Champion for the first time with victory at Belle Vue.
The Sheffield and Scunthorpe rider finished third in his opening ride but then reeled off four straight wins to qualify directly for the Final.
He then took that race from the inside ahead of pre-meeting favourite Bewley, who was joined by his Belle Vue team-mate and former champion Wright in the top three. Three-time winner Chris Harris was just off the rostrum.
Ellis said: “It feels amazing to hold this trophy. It’s been a long, tough night and I’m beyond delighted to walk away with the win.
“I honestly didn’t expect this. I certainly wanted it and I wasn’t here to make up the numbers, and there have been quite a few shock winners in the British Final over the last few years.
“We all knew that Dan was the man to beat and I knew I’d have to work hard, but anything can happen in this meeting and I’m just thrilled to have won on the night.”
Belle Vue No.1 Bewley, who hails from Maryport, was in philosophical mood after having to settle for runners-up spot, repeating his second-place finish of 2018.
He said: “I’d like to have been one step higher on the podium, but it just wasn’t to be this time, and I’m still happy to come away as the British No.2.
“It was a brilliant Final and me and Charles had a really good tussle but by the time I could have a crack at Adam he was too far up the road.
“We battled away all night. I was struggling out of the gates which put me behind in places, but I still felt fast, and I’m not disappointed with second place. I’m happy to be on the podium.”
Former champion Wright took all the positives from finishing third on his home National Speedway Stadium track on Monday.
Wright won the 2019 British Final but did not defend the title last year due to the pandemic – and he regarded another rostrum finish as a major step forward.
He said: “I feel like this has done me the world of good. I’ve been looking for something all season and now I feel I’ve got something that is working for me.
“Finishing first in 2019 and now third in 2021 is not a bad record, and this result means even more to me after all the struggles I’ve been going through recently.
“I feel confident, and I feel much quicker on the bike. This is a personal win for many reasons and I’m looking forward to kicking on with the rest of the season.”
New Champion Ellis makes his first league appearance since claiming the title when Scunthorpe visit Plymouth tonight.
