Cowra's Matt Gilmore has claimed his maiden 500cc speedway title winning the NSW Under-21 championship at Kurri Kurri Speedway on Saturday.
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Gilmore, 17, won a thrilling final from Mildura’s Jordan Stewart, who was victorious in the Victorian Under-21 title earlier this month, Queensland’s Zane Kennedy and another Cowra rider Zach Cook, who progressed from the B-final.
A two-time World Under-16 250cc champion, Gilmore had a sensational meeting winning four of his five heats and beating off a red-hot challenge from Stewart in the final.
“It’s awesome to win this. It’s my first title on a 500cc bike,” Gilmore said.
“I was gating really good and was able to lead in most of the heats and the final.
“It’s a big step up into the 500s and I’m wrapped with the win.”
The victory ensures Gilmore will get starts in the NSW open and Australian under-21 and open titles.
“I’m really looking forward to this year. I’ll try to go as well as I can this summer and have another year in Australia before hopefully heading overseas,” he said.
Heddon Greta’s Josh Pickering was troubled by problems with his bike and then a fall, but a final heat win saw him qualify for the B-final.
Cessnock’s Josh Macdonald, who was runner-up to Stewart in the Victorian Under-21 title, started well but again struck problems including a fall in his last heat.
Queensland’s Keynan Rew added the 2017 NSW U/16 250cc Speedway title to his 2017 Australian U/16 125cc crown beating home Mildura’s Connor Bailey and Hunter duo Jack Miles and Bradley Page.
The Under-16 125cc NSW championship was won by Cowra’s Maurice Brown from Mildura’s Bailey second and Queenslanders Flynn Nicol and Cordell Rogerson.