NIKE Lunna swooshed past Edinburgh’s top men to give Glasgow a massive win in the first leg of the KO Cup quarter-final.
The flying Finn racked up paid 16 points at reserve on his return to the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium.
Despite the meeting being cut short at 14 heats due to rain, the Tigers ran out 54-30 winners – meaning Edinburgh must win by 25 or more in the return leg at the end of August to knock out their rivals.
Lunna produced pass after pass on the likes of Ryan Fisher and Sam Masters – the home fans’ pantomime villain after leading calls for a track inspection 11 heats in with the home team 18 in front.
A grinning Lunna, 19, said: “It’s so awesome. I can’t even put it into words. Everything came together today. I’ve been good on away tracks this week but that was even better.
“Maybe I’ve got better confidence from being at No 6 but I can beat the best guys.
“It’s definitely a big win for us – that’s a good lead for the next meeting.”
The Tigers set their stall out as early as heat two when Luke Chessell – the National League rider guesting in place of broken wrist victim Danny Ayres – powered to a spectacular win. Behind him, Lunna had a fantastic battle with Max Clegg before finally getting the better of him on the third lap.
Only Fisher and Erik Riss could seal race wins for the visitors, who failed to dent Glasgow’s lead at any stage.
The crowning moment came in heat 14 when, in heavy rain, Rene Bach raced clear and Lunna got by Fisher to join his partner for a 5-1, sparking celebrations in the home pits, before both teams agreed to call it a day.
The return leg isn’t until August 26, with Glasgow now looking at possible temporary signings while Ayres – hurt in a fall at Berwick last week – recovers.
The side are next in action on Sunday when Workington visit in the Premier League.
Tigers scorers: Nike Lunna 13+3, Richard Lawson 11, Rene Bach 8+1, Aaron Summers 8, Richie Worrall 8, Luke Chessell (guest) 4, Coty Garcia 2+1.