RINGWOOD-based Adam Ellis squeaked into the World Under-21 Championship proper thanks to an excellent showing in the Czech Republic.

The Pirates rider bagged two race wins on his way to 12 points in the semi-final in Pardubice on Friday, earning him the fourth and final qualifying spot.

Maksym Drabik qualified first with five wins out of five, with Viktor Kulakov second and Patrick Hansen third after beating Ellis in a run-off.

Meanwhile, there was disappointment for Pirates' Aussie youngster Brady Kurtz, who was denied a return to the series after falling short in his semi-final at Belle Vue.

In a meeting abandoned after 12 heats due to heavy rain, Kurtz was eliminated on five points, a scoreless first outing proving costly.

Dimitri Berge was the shock winner at the National Speedway Stadium with Jack Holder – the younger brother of Poole star Chris – also advancing. Erik Riss and Mikkel Andersen completed the top four.

In Pocking, Germany, Max Fricke, Bartosz Smektala, Eduard Krcmar and Josh Bates negotiated their safe paths through.

The 12 qualifiers will be joined by three permanent wild cards in the three-round final at King’s Lynn, Pardubice and Gdansk. A one-off wild card will also feature in each round.