THIRD U21 TITLE FOR MAGNIFICENT MAX

NEWS Saturday 17th January 2015, 1:57pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Max Fricke has won his third successive Australian Under-21 title at Kurri-Kurri today at the age of 18, a magnificent achievement.

In spite of having to change machines for the final race, he defeated his main rivals jack Holder and Brady Kurtz after Jake Allen had been excluded in the first running.

Max scored 13 in the qualifying heats, winning his first three races. That put him in the A Final along with Kurtz (14), Allen (13) and Holder (12, winner of the B Final).

He is the fourth rider to win three successive titles, following in the footsteps of Leigh Adams, Chris Holder and Darcy Ward. Holder in fact made it four in a row when he won in 2007, something Max can emulate next year. He has three more shots at this title if he wishes to take up the option.

This year of course, Max will move up to Elite League full time following his two highly successful seasons with Monarchs, doubling up not being a possibility for Australians amidst the chaos that passes for UK Immigration Policy for work permit riders.

He is thus following in the footsteps of our last Aussie Under-21 Champ Rory Schlein who linked with Belle Vue towards the end of his spell with Monarchs.

We will be watching his progress with interest and will hope to see him back at Armadale whenever the opportunity arises. His performance today on top of all he has achieved suggests he has the makings of a really great rider.