YOUNG STARS SHINE IN THE USA!

Image courtesy of Phil McGlynn

It was a comfortable victory as GB took control in the early stages and the result was never in doubt.

Although every rider did a great job, special mention goes to Dan Thompson, Adam Ellis and Tom Brennan in an all-round team display.

He said: “Obviously the senior riders had been there before and had that experience, but for the younger riders it was really good. It was a great experience.

“I think they would have taken a lot from it. I thought it was a really good event. We all stayed together in the same house for a few days, which was quite cool.

“It was good that some of the riders could see the work ethic of people like Tom Brennan and see what goes into being the level he is.

“If everyone had their eyes open and was seeing what everyone was doing and the way they prepared, then I think there is a lot to be learned.

“I think there are quite subtle things like the amount of practice laps that Dan Bewley did.

“He was a level above everyone in that meeting, but he probably did more laps than anyone else because he wanted to make sure he was happy with everything. Hopefully that resonates with some people.

“I personally really enjoyed it. I thought it was a great experience. I think it is great for American Speedway because it shows their young riders the level they need to be at and I would love to do it again.”

There’s little doubt that Thompson’s paid 13 and his overall dashing display would have made a lot of people sit up and take notice of his progress.

Allen added: “I don’t like to single anyone out, but if you were going to, then I would say Dan Thompson really turned a few heads that day. He rode really well. He is quite a mature rider, I think.

“He uses his head. He doesn't make rash decisions. I thought he rode really well and it was nice for me to spend a bit of time with him and his family because they are quite quiet.

“It was nice to spend a little bit of time with him and get a bit out of him. The same goes for Ashton.

“Adam is also so good. In my time working with Great Britain, he has shown me time and time again how good he can be and I have no doubt about the talent he has.

“I have spent a couple of days with him and Dan (Bewley) and the pair of them are quite laid back characters and you would be fooled into thinking that they approach Speedway in the same way

“You would maybe question what effort goes in behind the scenes if you don’t know them. I know from spending time with them behind the scenes that they are both fully ridiculously focused on what they are doing.

“I thought Adam was particularly really good. He was so fast when he hit the front which is typical of Adam.

“It was a shame for Jordan and Ashton to take a knock. I never like to see anyone take a knock. What I liked about Ashton's two crashes was that he was being brave and he was attacking.

“If you crash and go down from it then hopefully you learn something and you do it again and you pull it off the next time. What I liked was that he was giving it a go. All in all it was a fantastic start to the 2025 season.”