WYKE'S speedway superstar Sam McGurk is the 2018 Dutch Open Champion after fighting off stern competition over the event to defeat his European rivals.

The 12-year-old did not have any easy run of it during the heats but his determination and stamina proved too good for the competition and he won the finals in both meetings on the Friday and Saturday to emerge as champion.

The championship win was not the only highlight of Sam's weekend either, as an added bonus saw him meet a Dukes legend.

Dutchman Henny Kroeze was impressed to see Sam travel to his homeland to race and seeing the youngster brought back memories for the veteran rider, who used to compete for the Dukes in West Yorkshire.

Sam, whose older brother Harry is also a talented speedway rider, hopes to travel to the Netherlands again next year when he moves up to the 250cc class.