KEMP EYES GB U21 SPOT FOR 2021 SON FINAL

Great Britain newcomer Drew Kemp has set his sights on racing in the 2021 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Final in Manchester after getting a taste of the action in Lublin.

Kemp was called up to replace injured triple world champion Tai Woffinden, who was forced out of the event due to a broken hand.

The Ipswich and Eastbourne star didn’t take to the track with GB bosses Simon Stead and Oliver Allen opting to deploy designated under-21 rider Dan Bewley alongside Robert Lambert in each of Lions’ four races.

With Bewley now too old to fill the junior spot, Kemp is determined to claim next year’s No.3 race jacket at the National Speedway Stadium. But the British Under-19 champion knows he faces stiff competition from the likes of Jordan Palin and Tom Brennan for a huge opportunity.

He said: “There are a lot of good riders coming through and they have a lot of choice. At the end of the day, though, it’s up to me if I want to get that under-21 spot. I do and I really want it. I want it more than anyone else.

“But it will all be down to form and the only one who can control that is me. If I do what I do best and work hard, which is what I am doing, whenever they choose the team, hopefully I will be the under-21 rider.”

While he could only watch this year’s Monster Energy SON Final from the pits, Kemp insists he didn’t make the long trip to Lublin for nothing.

He said: “You can’t put a price on the experience I got out there and even though I didn’t get a ride, I was in the pits with the world’s best. Bartosz Zmarzlik was parked next to me and you don’t get that experience often.

“They’re at the level I want to be at and I can look at myself as one of them for that meeting – as their equal almost. Seeing what they are doing gives me something to work for and it makes me more determined to be there one day and be winning races for Great Britain.

“I had an idea and I think everyone had an idea that Dan and Rob would be taking the majority of the rides.

“It would have been nice to have at least one race, but unfortunately the weather didn’t work in anyone’s favour and that wasn’t the case.

“The experience I gained being among the best riders in the world is something to build on and I have learned a lot more than I think, even though I didn’t race. It has definitely helped me for the future.”

While he wasn’t the nominated junior this time around, Kemp believes the experience he gained shows the value of forcing every country to track an under-21 rider in the competition.

He said: “Being 18 years old, this is the time to start learning. A lot of people want to see riders racing in Poland and making their name for GB. The way we are going to do that is racing meetings like the Speedway of Nations so early.

“I think it’s a good idea. I guess I would say that, but I definitely feel like I have come on loads since the start of this year and last year, when I first did the European meetings. Obviously it’s doing something for me.”

Photo: Taylor Lanning