Post by teessidetransporters on Jan 30, 2017 22:15:00 GMT
Five of Teesside's septet were in action in their domestic national finals and there was a huge amount of success.
The Prince of Norway Hans E Bergestol showed he is still world class he took a ird Scandinavian title, just edging out team-mate Ole Bjorn Thoresen, who came third. And also progressing was Bjorn Haagensen who produced a shock to book his place in the GP Challenge.
In America, there was a shock as former Teesside star Braxton McChesney went out but America's new hero Jack Hagen continued his brilliant form with a podium finish in 3rd.
The only Transporters to miss out was German ace Hans Benkarth, who just missed out on qualification for the GP Challenge from the European final in a run-off, but he showed a welcome return to form.
Team principal Graeme Bailey said: "I was so chuffed for Hans, his third title just means that something special and cements his place in speedway history - although there is still more to come, of that I am sure and Ole did what he had to, but Bjorn I am chuffed to bits. I think with Jack and Hans' form this season his progress has gone under the radar but he is doing so well.
"Jack looks in fine fettle and I think is a huge contender for the World Under 21 crown, and that will be Hans target next year for sure - he did so well in the European final. He went there with our blessing, he could not have ridden two meetings in the space of a week and how could we deny him a ride in a European final at his age. Hans is going to be a Teesside Transporter for many years, and we treat our riders right - and he was very appreciative of how we treated him this week."
The Prince of Norway Hans E Bergestol showed he is still world class he took a ird Scandinavian title, just edging out team-mate Ole Bjorn Thoresen, who came third. And also progressing was Bjorn Haagensen who produced a shock to book his place in the GP Challenge.
In America, there was a shock as former Teesside star Braxton McChesney went out but America's new hero Jack Hagen continued his brilliant form with a podium finish in 3rd.
The only Transporters to miss out was German ace Hans Benkarth, who just missed out on qualification for the GP Challenge from the European final in a run-off, but he showed a welcome return to form.
Team principal Graeme Bailey said: "I was so chuffed for Hans, his third title just means that something special and cements his place in speedway history - although there is still more to come, of that I am sure and Ole did what he had to, but Bjorn I am chuffed to bits. I think with Jack and Hans' form this season his progress has gone under the radar but he is doing so well.
"Jack looks in fine fettle and I think is a huge contender for the World Under 21 crown, and that will be Hans target next year for sure - he did so well in the European final. He went there with our blessing, he could not have ridden two meetings in the space of a week and how could we deny him a ride in a European final at his age. Hans is going to be a Teesside Transporter for many years, and we treat our riders right - and he was very appreciative of how we treated him this week."