Hagon thought he had 'fluffed' Championship chances after slow start to meeting

STARLET Sam Hagon admitted that his National League Riders’ Championship win came as a surprise after dropping points in his first ride.

The Poole Pirates youngster claimed overall victory at Wimborne Road on Wednesday night after a run-off heat victory against Jake Mulford after 20 races, with riders taking to the shale five times apiece.

Mulford and Hagon had been tied on 14 points, with the latter believing his dropped points to Pirates teammate Vinnie Foord would prove costly.

However, Hagon was then perfect in his remaining four rides, including a heat victory over Mulford.

There had been doubts whether Hagon would be fit enough to compete after sustaining facial injuries after guesting for Berwick at the weekend, but the Pirate made good use of his knowledge of the Wimborne Road track.

Hagon shared after the meeting: "To be fair after the first ride I thought I was completely out of it.

“It was everyone's sort of game and I was the one that fluffed it my first race.

“The track was good towards the end but at the start it was too wet.

“As you saw there were a lot of crashes and the leaders were miles in front and everyone else struggling at the back.

“Towards the end of the night it was brilliant and we kind of changed a couple of bits and it kind of showed where I was.

“Even in the last heat race I went from last to first in one corner which was really cool I have to say, because I kind of didn't think I was going to get there.

“Nathan (Ablitt) didn't leave much room and I just managed to get there but it's racing and I was glad to get back on top.

“I think I got a bit fortunate in Vinnie (Foord) losing a couple, but he beat me fair and square

“He was going good until the track began to get better and unfortunately he got beat up a little bit.

“That is the good thing about these events.

“There are twenty heats and you don't often see riders max out especially at this level where we are all pretty young.

“So all I needed to do after my first one was to get some wins.

“To be fair to Max Perry he rode pretty good, and I just got lucky in beating him to the line in my second race and that kind of kept me in it."