POOLE Pirates star Sam Hagon produced a string of superb displays to win the 2024 edition of the illustrious British Speedway Under-21 Championship.

Held at Glasgow’s Ashfield Stadium, Hagon won five of his six rides, defeating 2022 champion Leon Flint in the final.

Hagon, who also rides for Leicester Lions in the Premiership and National League Belle Vue Colts, was the second best performer during the initial stages of the competition, progressing him straight into the final.

There the 19-year-old saw off the challenge of Flint, Ashton Boughen and Joe Thompson to take the trophy.

Former winners of the event include Poole Pirates team bosses Neil Middleditch and Gary Havelock, as well as the likes of Mark Loram, Scott Nicholls, current Pirates star Tom Brennan and Grand Prix riders Robert Lambert, Tai Woffinden and Dan Bewley.

Hagon progressed straight through to the final after a string of four successive race wins.

He left himself with work to do after his opening ride, finishing third in heat one behind Boughen and Ben Trigger, in an entertaining contest.

Hagon flew out of gate four, but stayed too wide and allowed others to pass.

He briefly got into second during the final lap, but Trigger reeled him back in.

He could perhaps be forgiven for a slow start, having made the arduous journey up from Plymouth, where he competed for Pirates less than 24 hours earlier.

From there, Hagon was unstoppable during the qualification rounds.

In his second ride, he made the gate and claimed victory, ahead of pre-tournament favourite Dan Thompson.

That proved to be the end of his afternoon, the in-form Ipswich Witches and Plymouth Gladiators star withdrawing from the meeting.

Hagon then defeated one of the other favourites in Flint, holding off his strong challenge for four laps. It would prove to be the only race Flint would not win during the qualifying rounds.

Pirates’ reserve then moved into double figures with another three-pointer, sweeping around the outside of fellow challengers Joe Thompson and Vinnie Ford to take victory.

Hagon then booked his spot as one of the top two qualifiers, finished second overall to Flint, with a win in heat 20.

And he continued his superb form when it really mattered, getting out of the gate first in the final.

Flint reeled in Boughen to get up to second, but ran out of time to catch Hagon, who took the title.