GB TAKE BRONZE IN ITALY
TOM BRENNAN admits a blown engine cost Great Britain a proper shot at Silver in the FIME European Pairs Final.
Images courtesy of Steve Hone Photography
The Swindon-born star produced a sensational performance to spearhead the red, white and blue push for glory in Lonigo on Sunday night.
Brennan, 23, delivered a virtuoso display of 16 points from six rides. Leon Flint and Dan Thompson both battled hard for five and two respectively as GB finished behind Denmark on 27 points and level with Poland on 23.
But Brennan missed out in the run-off with Poland’s young star Bartlomiej Kowalski.
The Poole and Birmingham star admitted: “It was a bit frustrating to say the least. I blew an engine in my final heat.
“That meant a frantic few minutes in the pits to prepare my spare bike and try and get the set-up for the run-off.
“I made the start but it wasn’t dialled into the conditions like my first bike.
“All in all the team did a great job to get into the medal positions and it’s always good to get something to show for it in the end.
“These are really tough events for all the boys. Leon and Dan really got stuck in and we worked as a team from start to finish. That makes such a huge difference.
“I’m really pleased to come through with such a big score again. All of these meetings on the continent for GB are tough but you take away so much know-how.
“Leon and Dan are going through what I did two or three years ago. It’s hard to travel all this way and not get the rewards with points you probably deserve.
“But we are all improving as a unit. It’s always special to get a result for Great Britain. It always feel extra to wear the race suit and we’ve finished the season with another medal for our country. That’s all that counts.”
Team boss Olly Allen was equally delighted with the overall display in a difficult event.
He said: “We always set out to get a medal and that was achieved.
“Considering we put out such a young team for this event, it’s an excellent result.
“Naturally we are proud to see Tom come on leaps and bounds. It’s the first time he has been the senior member of the team in this competition, and he’s done a proper job as a leader.
“We are really happy with the commitment from Leon and Dan. It’s just as important to see them learn from such occasions. These events are there as a learning curve for the boys.
“Tom has benefitted so much from them over the past four years and now Leon and Dan will and more in the future.”
