Great Britain shooting stars Sam Hagon and Leon Flint complete the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff line-up after being named as track reserves for the Principality Stadium showdown on Saturday, August 17.
The duo join GB stars Robert Lambert, Dan Bewley and wild card Tom Brennan in flying the Union flag at Britain’s biggest indoor motorsport event in the Welsh capital.
First track reserve Hagon lines up at No.17 and would make his Speedway GP debut if he is called into action, should one of the main 16 riders be forced out of a race due to a starting offence, injury, illness or other reasons.
Hagon is the reigning British Under-21 champion, lifting the title in Glasgow on June 2. His Cardiff selection is the culmination of what has been a fantastic start to the season in all three divisions of British speedway with Rowe Motor Oil Premiership team Leicester, Cab Direct Championship club Poole and WSRA National Development League side Belle Vue Colts.
Meanwhile, Birmingham and Glasgow racer Flint, who lines up as second track reserve at No.18, returns after serving as a standby man in the 2022 Cardiff event, taking three outings. The former British Under-21 champion is a full member of the 2024 SGP2 series – the FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship.
Flint and Hagon were part of GB’s Under-21 team, which secured fourth place in the FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 – the FIM Team Speedway Under-21 World Championship event at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium on July 12.
Hagon previously took part in SGP Academy events on the Cardiff track on a 250cc machine. But he is delighted to be part of the main event this year.
He said: “It’s an unreal feeling to be the first reserve. Hopefully I get a ride. It’s everyone’s dream to be in the GP. That’s where I want to be in the future. If we get a chance to race, we will give it a good go and see what happens.
“I’ve ridden Cardiff a few times on a 250cc bike. I don’t think the track changes drastically, but it will be good experience. If you pop out of the start, you never know what can happen.”
Flint experienced the roar of the Cardiff crowd two years ago and can’t wait to line up in his home event again.
He said: “Just being a part of the event is very special. Not many people can say they have been a part of it. It shows that I am doing something right! If the chance comes to race, I will be ready and I am just excited for the day.
“I remember when I was introduced to the crowd two years ago, it was definitely special and like nothing anything else I have experienced. Hopefully it is just as special this year.
“It’s good to be in the pits and look at what’s being done by the Speedway GP riders and how they prepare for the meeting – loads of little things they do that I can take away and put into my own racing.”
Words by Speedway GP – Images courtesy of Taylor Lanning
