LEWIS Kerr admits he paid the price for sluggish starts in the British Final at Belle Vue on Monday.

The King’s Lynn skipper won his first and last rides, but his middle three outings gleaned just a point which ruled him out of the semi-final.

Persistent rain in the build-up to the meeting made the track deep and wet which meant starting was paramount.

Said Kerr: “Everything was fine if you could get out in front. I won my first ride and my last - getting that fresh air and being able to see was the main difference.

“It was so heavy out wide and I just struggled to make starts mid-meeting. It’s the same for everyone so I can’t complain.

“My preparation wasn’t too bad. I’ve managed to practice a few times and had the meeting there last Thursday - I’m feeling good.

“It was just one of those nights where I didn’t make starts consistently and you can’t do that in a big meeting like that.”

Kerr had raced at Belle Vue last Thursday and scored an impressive 9+2 from four outings in a Premiership team challenge event.

Both meetings were behind closed doors with speedway classed as an elite sport by the government which rules out crowds.

And for the first time the British Final was streamed live with thousands of fans signing up to watch the event.

The sport’s bosses are keen to explore other streaming opportunities in 2021 in their new broadcast partnership with Eurosport.