LEICESTER’S Dan Thompson pulled off a brilliant victory in Saturday’s Ben Fund Bonanza at Glasgow to get his domestic campaign off to a flying start.
Thompson, who returns to the Watling JCB Lions this season after two and a half years with Ipswich, starred on his former Championship home circuit with a superb performance.
He picked up 11 points from his five qualifying rides in the fund raising event, included in which was a win after a thrilling scrap with former team-mate Chris Harris in Heat 7 which saw Thompson re-pass his opponent to take the flag.
With Justin Sedgmen and Peter Kildemand progressing directly to the Final, Thompson had to come through a very competitive semi-final, making his way from third to first to get the better of Kevin Juhl Pedersen and Danny King.
Pedersen, a newcomer for Glasgow this season, then made the best start in the Final, but Thompson again made the outside work for him, and he hit the front off turn four before racing clear for the win.
He said: “It was a tough evening. The gates were a bit uneven, and gate three wasn’t very good, so when I was handed gate four in the Final it was a bit of a surprise.
“I made a decent start, but I actually had a major problem with the bike. The rear chain was dropped on too slack, I think my countershaft moved, so every time I was hitting the dirt I thought it was going to come off.
“I’m super-pleased, it’s for a great cause, the Ben Fund have helped me out a lot in the last two seasons, so to win it is cool and hopefully everyone has a successful season.”
Fellow Lions rider Kyle Howarth just missed out on a place in the top six, thankfully walking away from a spectacular spill in his fourth ride when he lifted on the first turn.
Lions are in action as a team for the first time this season when they take on Belle Vue home and away on Easter Monday (April 6), with the opener in Manchester at midday and the return at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park at 7.30pm.
SCORES: Justin Sedgmen 12, Peter Kildemand 12, Leon Flint 12, Dan Thompson 11, Kevin Juhl Pedersen 10, Danny King 9, Kyle Howarth 8, Ben Barker 8, Chris Harris 7, Kye Thomson 7, Tom Brennan 6, Jason Edwards 6, Victor Palovaara 5, Sam Hagon 4, Tate Zischke 2, Reid Battye 0, Ace Pijper (res) 0.
SEMI-FINAL: Thompson, Juhl Pedersen, King, Flint.
FINAL: Thompson, Juhl Pedersen, Kildemand, Sedgmen.
