PARTYING POLE WINS EUROPEAN TITLE - posted 29 July 2010

The pits were full of stars.  Men that have almost become myths in the land of cycle speedway; Szymanski, a machine of a man, training twice a day, six days a week; Ganczarek, Szymanski’s training partner, his massive frame dominating races and intimidating opponents and also the reigning European champion; Nowacki, Britain’s favourite Pole, the Premier League’s quickest rider.  There were many others, all massive names, all capable of taking the title, all sitting in the pits with serious expressions, getting in the zone.

Apart from two riders.  Tucked up away in the corner of the pits, chatting amiably to passing Brits all wishing him luck, Andy Angell was soaking up every second of his experience.  Knowing he had as good a chance as any to win the match, he still chatted to those wishing him luck, only boosting the support he got from the Brits; could he do it?  The other rider was number nine, the worst draw of the lot, Marcin Paradzinski, who according to local reports had been up partying till half-three in the morning anyway.  He had no chance of winning.

The weekend was slowly building to a crescendo and after the long winded parade was out of the way, the crowd had swelled to three deep in places.  The first heat was taken by a surprise winner, Lukasz Piszczek of Tarnow who beat Szymczak, Gluchowski and England’s Steve Harris.  Harris didn’t have the best of weekends despite making the final; average in the team cup final, and only scoring single figures in the individual final itself.  Perhaps those legs that have given so much over the years are starting to slow down?  The evergreen Harris may well be hitting the autumn of his career.

Szymanski sparkled in heat two, taking three points from gate four, before the biggest cheer of the night came up in heat three as England’s new cycle speedway poster boy walked out onto the track – Angell.  After making the pass of the weekend by riding round Ganczarek in the team cup final, then cruising his way through to the individual final without any issues, some saying he had looked the best rider in the field, expectation was high.  This may come as a shock to many, because two years ago you wouldn’t have thought as Angell (pictured) as a potential rostrum candidate for the European Championships, which is not a dig at Andy; I’m sure he’d admit it himself.  But his hard work, training and love for the sport is an inspiration to all and in an event dominated by Poles, he was a bright, brilliant beacon for all Brits to follow.  But could he do it?

No.  Heart-breakingly for Andy and all his supporters in the crowd, Andy gated, held all of the three Polish power houses on his outside from gate one, picked up coming out of the second bend, already with half a length lead and… Lost his front wheel.  Down he fell, taking two opponents down with him.  Andy’s face said it all; he was distraught.  All that effort, broken, in half a lap.

In heat six, Angell came out again and put in a monster gate from two to power round and lead the heat comfortably after two laps then disaster struck again.  He lost his front wheel in the exact same place that it had gone in the race before and bought another rider down.  He didn’t even wait for the referee’s whistle; he knew that any chances of a podium finish had gone.  Back to the pits he walked, out – even the Angell smile had gone.

Harris strutted out in heat seven, but couldn’t muster any more than a last and only had two points from his first two rides.  Nowacki had taken full advantage of his two gate ones to lead the field by a point on eight after two rides each, with Szymanski, Ganczarek and Paradzinski all on seven.

Heat nine provided the crash of the day.  A full blooded first two laps led to Binkowski, Pronobis and Pawlowski all going full bore into the third bend.  The crowd gasped as they realised that none of them had planned on pulling out.  Result?  Carnage.  The two riders on the outside both hit the fence hard, so hard in fact that one of the bikes broke, the forks shearing off.  The crowd loved it, the fence didn’t.  Pawlowski was excluded.

Ganczarek then took an important three points from his gate four to leave him on ten with two gate ones to come, before Paradzinski (remember him?  It won’t last) beat Szymanski to put him one point ahead of the metronomic pole on eleven.  Nowacki took a second in his heat ahead of Angell to move himself onto eleven too.

In heat fourteen, the tension was ramped up a notch when Szymanski and Nowacki met, the battle of the two men who have been at the top of the sport for so long.  Szymanski flew from the gate and Nowacki just edged round Pawlowski inside him.  Szymczak looked for a drop off the four and going down the back straight Nowacki had to close that threat down, whilst Szymanski darted off into the lead.  Picking up out of the fourth bend, Nowacki was a length back on Szymanski… But that didn’t put him off.  He drove into the first bend on a wild move, clashed with Szymanski, went over the kerb and fell in an aggressive heap. 

Whether Szymanski’s left leg had a part to play in his fall is to be debated, but it was a wild move and had little chance of success; it was so unlike Nowacki, so out of character.  Perhaps that was his intention, to surprise Szymanski, but it backfired.  If he’d have got second in that race he would have gone on to finish on eighteen and make the run off for the win.  Perhaps he’s rueing his moment of madness, which left him stranded at the back of the race, picking up a solitary point.

England restored a smidgen of pride in the next heat, fifteen, when Harris took the win from gate one and Angell followed him around in second, coming from gate four.  In heat sixteen, remarkably, Paradzinski powered to a second in the last of his two gate fours to leave him on an astounding fourteen from four.  The partying pole was in joint lead with Ganczarek and Szymanski and the crowd were starting to realise something brilliant could happen.

Andy Angell finished his weekend in potentially explosive circumstances; he was sandwiched between Szymanski and Ganczarek on the gates, and could be instrumental in where the title went.  He gated and was half a length up upon Ganczarek inside him, but the wiley Polish rider made the most of minimal contact and hopped up the kerb, earning a re run.  Second time around, Andy failed to replicate his superb gate and Szymanski managed to get half a wheel up upon him.  Andy got flicked out to the fence and very harshly, the referee didn’t stop the race.  But then what were you expecting?

Ganczarek powered on to win the race and finish ahead of the mighty Szymanski and guarantee himself at least a run off, but more than likely the win.  Paradzinski’s title charge would surely end soon, when his number nine draw caught up with him. Needing a win in his last heat to secure a run off with Ganczarek, he lined up on gate two with super started Gluchowski inside him on one.  His chances looked slim.

But then he did what he’d been doing all day; got stuck in.  Picking up out of the first bend, he switched Gluchowski going into the top bend and absolutely drilled him.  The crowd roared and Paradzinski had done it.  From no chance, to every chance.  Fate looked down as he won the gate toss and picked gate two in the run off for the title.  The best rider in Europe, Ganczarek, or the crowd favourite Paradzinski?  Flying from the gate, Paradzinski held Ganczarek then kept him on his shoulder down the back straight.  But disaster struck; picking up out of the fourth bend, he slipped and Ganczarek put on the after burners and flew down the back straight…  However, Paradzinski hadn’t given up yet.  He picked up and flew into the first bend as the crowd hushed, and the moment that decided the title approached.  They met mid bend, like two gladiators in the Coliseum; smash. They met so hard, that Ganczarek hit the fence as Paradzinski, the conqueror, raced off down the back straight.  The referee raised his whistle, but didn’t blow.  Paradzinski had done it.  And his smile was broader than ever.

European Individual Championship
Marcin Paradzinski 18, Maciej Ganczarek 18 (after run-off), Marcin Szymanski 17, Lukasz Nowacki 16, Tomasz Wlodarczyk 14, Marcin Skowronek 14, Mateusz Szymczak 13, Grzegorz Gluchowski 12, Lukasz Piszczek 11, Marek Pronobis 11, Marcin Pawlowski 11, Steve Harris 10, Przemek Binkowski 10, Piotr Jamroszczyk 8, Pawel Kozlowski 8, Andy Angell 5

MOULD THIRD IN EURO JUNIORS - posted 25 July 2010

Birmingham's Ben Mould came third in this afternoon's European junior championship final.  The Welsh international beat Poland's Patryk Piechota, in a tie-break for the bronze medal after finishing level on 16 points.  Top honour went to Sebastian Morawiak who beat fellow Pole Szymon Kowalczyk in a run-off for the title, both scoring 17 points.  The race proved an anti-climax after Kowalczyk was disqualified for moving at the start.

For much of the match, Horspath's Mark Carmichael set the pace.  Needing to win his last race to win the title outright, Carmichael was out-manouevred by three Poles, amid boos from the visiting crowd who suspected some collusion.  Carmichael finished overall fifth on 15 points.

One of the pre-match favourites, Tom Reed, had a disasterous day, returning a hugely disappointing score of just seven points after suffering two exclusions.

The other British scores were Paul Heard 14, Ben Dickerson 9, Aaron Herbert 8, Josh Colby 6

Ben Mould brilliantly passes Patryk Piechpota during the bronze medal tie-break






European Junior Individual Championship
Sebastian Morawiak 17, Szymon Kowalczyk 17 (after run-off), Ben Mould 16, Patryk Piechpota 16 (after run-off), Mark Carmichael 15, Kamil Naskret 15, Paul Heard 14, Arkadiusz Zajac 14, Marcin Wawrzyniak 12, Mateusz Ludwiczak 12, Ben Dickenson 9, Bartosz Grabowski 8, Aaron Herbert 8, Tom Reed 7, Josh Colby 6, Dariusz Bireniewicz 5







ANGELL AND HARRIS THROUGH TO EURO FINAL - posted 25 July 2010

Just two British riders, Andy Angell and Steve Harris, have made it through to this evening's European individual championship final.  Both qualified through the first semi-final but British champion Lee Aris and former national number one, Terry Norman, failed to make the cut in the second semi final, scoring 12 and 11 points respectively, Aris losing out on a four-man tie-break for the final qualifying place.

SEVEN BRITS IN JUNIOR FINAL - posted 25 July 2010

Britain's representative fared better in the junior semi-finals, seven riders qualifying for this afternoon's garnd final.  The qualifiers for the final are:-

Semi-Final A
Qualifiers
Bartosz Graboswki, Szymon Kowalczyk, Sebastian Morawiak, Mark Carmichael, Tom Reed, Patryk Piechota, Ben Dickerson, Mateusz Ludwiczak
Semi Final B
Qualifiers
Kamil Kesret, Aaron Herbert, Paul Heard, Josh Colby, Ben Mould, Daruisz Bierniewicz, Marcin Wawrzyniak, Arkandiusz Zajac

BRITS FIND IT TOUGH - posted 25 July 2010

Just three Brits have survived the tough qualifying rounds for today's European semi-finals at Leszno in Poland.  Andy Angel (Sheffield), Steve Harris (Horspath) and Terry Norman (Wednesfield) will join seeded Craig Newsome (Scotland), Leigh Cossey (Ireland), Lee Aris (England) and Mark Winwood (Wales) in this afternoon's action-packed semis which begin at 12 noon.  We'll bring you the results within minutes of the matches finishing.

POLAND DOMINATE EURO NATIONS CUP - posted 24 July 2010

Poland dominated this evening's Euro Nations Cup on home soil at Zielona Gora.  Despite a valiant and inspiring display by Mark Boaler, England were no match for the home nation.  With British champion Lee Aris looking off colour, England just managed to hold second place after a strong challenge from Wales, brilliantly led by youngsters Mark Carmichael and Ben Mould.

European Nations Cup
Poland 72
Marcin Szymanski 18, Mateusz Szymczak 17, Maciej Ganczarek 15, Lukasz Nowacki 14, Grzegorz Gluchowski 8
England 59
Mark Boaler 19, Andy Angel 16, Steve Harris 12, Lee Aris 9, Terry Norman 3
Wales 56
Mark Carmichael 16, Ben Mould 15, Mark Winwood 11, Nicky Evans 8, Dave Murphy 6
Ireland 34
Jason Barker 10, Leigh Cossey 9, Gary Colby 9, Barry Copping 4, Steve Copping 2
Scotland 23
Sam Dart 7, Craig Newson 7, Gavin Kennedy 5, Josh Colby 3, David Dart 1
Referee:  Mike Legge (England)

IRELAND STARS

Ireland's team for tonight's European Nations Cup will be made up entirely of riders from one club.  Jason Barker, Gary Colby, Barry Copping, Steve Copping and Leigh Cossey all race for Norwich Stars in the Premier League.   

"UNBEATABLE" YOUNGSTERS POLE-AXED - posted 24 July 2010

England's "unbeatable" youngsters were Pole-axed in this afternoon's European Nations Cup.

Fielding a powerhouse team of Thomas Reed, Paul Heard, Carl Jarvis, Daniel Chambers and Matt Smith, the young Lions dominated most of the match but suffered a critical 7-3 reversal in the penultimate heat to give the Poles victory.  The final scores were Poland 65, England, 62, Wales 52.  A more in-depth report will follow.

CHAMBERS SHOCK AS 13 BRITS QUALIFY FOR JUNIOR SEMIS - posted 24 July 2010

Thirteen British youngsters made their way through to the semi-final stages of the European Junior championship at Leszno earlier today.  Unfortunately four riders, Daniel Chambers, Ryan Evans, Joe Lewis and Ben Collins, failed to make the cut and were eliminated.  The thirteen qualifiers will be joined in tomorrow's semi-final by three British seeds, Thomas Reed (England), Jack Harrold (Wales) and Josh Colby (Scotland), so representation will be evenly divided bewteen the British and Polish contingents.

After winning last weekend's BY&JL under-18 grand prix at Astley, Norfolk's Dan Chambers was expected to sail through to the last 32 but was surprisingly eliminated.

The GB qualifiers are Mark Carmichael (Horspath), Ben Dickenson (Sheffield), Leyton Glover (Poole), Paul Heard (Birmingham), Aaron Herbert (Exeter), Ben Higham (Stockport), Carl Jarvis (Leicester), Matthew Mildon (Poole), Arron Morgan (Poole), Ben Mould (Birmingham), Dylan Radcliffe (Stokport), Matt Smith (Sandwell), George Solomon (Norwich)

SATURDAY SHORTS

Flying Start
Norwich's Ian Grange was the only British qualifier from Round A, getting his Euro campaign off to a flying start by beating one of the tournament favourites Lukasz Nowacki in his opening race.

Mystery Vommitting Sickness Hits Welsh Trio
Three Welsh riders were struck down by a vomittng sickness bug during Saturday's qualifying rounds.  Colin Wildy, Nicky Evans and Chris Davies all succumbed to the mystery illness, after appearing to be in high spirits to evening before, and had to withdraw or abandon from the qualifying stages.

Luck of the Irish
Irish international Barry Copping must have created some sort of record.  He never managed to beat any of his opponents in the second qualifying rounds but sailed into the semi-finals because the decimated field remarkably left him as the final qualifier!

British Hopes
Two Brits looked in outstanding form today.  Sheffield's Andy Angel brilliantly won his qualifying round on 19 points while veteran sensation Steve Harris adapted best to the wet conditions to comfortably make the semi-final stages.

Rycharski Quits
After struggling in the qualifying rounds, Dominik Rycharski, won his four repercharge races with ease to book his semi-final place - then promptly packed his bike into his car and walked out of the event with one race remaining.  If that wasn't bad enough, his absence gifted points to some of the lower-scoring riders and probably cost Mariusz Detlaf (Soledowo) a place in the semis.  Stoke's Garry Pearce won the repercharge with 17 points, ahead of fellow Brits Lee Grange Glover and new boy Jason Barker who finished on 16.

GREAT DAY FOR YOUNG BRITS - posted 24 July 2010

Britain's youngsters have done us proud.  All but one qualified for the next stages of the European junior championship yesterday.  Only rider to miss out was Sam Dart who has to withdraw from the competition through injury.  It looks as if the newly launched Academy is already paying dividends and are on course to achieve their primary objective - having eight British riders in the final and at least one on the rostrum.

ABSENTEES WRECK EURO SCHEDULE - posted 24 July 2010

The scale of absenteeism at yesterday's Euroepan championship is becoming apparent.  Of the 63 names on the entry sheet, published just last week, only 46 riders actually competed, rendering Friday's qualification round virtually superfluous and forcing two of the scheduled qualifying matches to be abandonded.  Some of the biggest names in British cycle speedway, including Daniel Pike, Marcus Wadhams, Nathan Groves and Chris Timms, were among those missing.  As a result, only three competitors were eliminated from the competition which started at 11am and finished shortly after 7pm.

The ICSF is expected to launch a full investigation.

Meanwhile a full programme of events in anticipated today as the seniors and juniors battle for a place in Sunday's individual semi finals.  And to top it all, the Junior and Senior European Nations Cup take place at 3pm and 7.30pm respectively.  We hope to bring your the results just minutes after matches finish.

EURO ROUNDS MARRED BY CALL-OFFS AND WITHDRAWALS - posted 23 July 2010

Today's European Senior Championships at Leszno in Poland were decimated by late call-offs and withdrawals resulting in two qualifying rounds being cancelled.

Racing started at 11am this morning and finished moments ago at 7.15pm (BST) - with just three riders being eliminated from the competition.  The unlucky trio were Steve Copping (Norwich), Mel Perkins (Hethersett) and Mariusz Detlaf (Soledowo).  All the remaining riders progress to tomorrow's quarter finals at Zielona Gora.

It was a good day though for Britain's top juniors.  Contesting six qualifying rounds at Zielona Gora, there was little in the way of surprises although at the time of writing four riders will need a second bite of the cherry.  Matthew Mildon (Poole), Ryan Evans (Newport), Dylan Radcliffe (Stockport), Sam Dart (Exeter) will all need contest a repercharge later this evening in order to reach tomorrow's quarter finals at Leszno.

LATEST RESULTS FROM POLAND

Please note the list of non-qualifiers may include the names of some riders who were absent from the competition

FRIDAY: LESZNO

SENIOR - QUALIFICATION ROUND - A

England international Ian Grange was the sole Brit to qualify in this morning's opening qualifying round of the European Riders Championship.  All the remaining riders struggled against tough opposition and missed to cut for the next round.

Qualifiers
Michal Zajac (Leszno), Przemyslaw Binkowski (Toruñ), Rafal Baumgarten (Tarnów), Marcin Skowronek (Leszno), Tomasz Wlodarczyk (Swiêtochlowice), Lukasz Nowacki (Toruñ), Krzysztof Jeryœ (Ostrów), Ian Grange (Norwich)
Non Qualifiers
Radoslaw Wróblewski (Bydgoszcz), Jamie Brown (Sheffield), Jaroslaw Szeps (Toruñ), Radoslaw Handke (Zielona Góra), Colin Wildy (East Newport), Simon Gamble (Sheffield), Nicky Evans (East Newport)

SENIOR - QUALIFICATION ROUND - B

Event canclled - All riders who turned up qualified for tomorrow's quarter finals

SENIOR - QUALIFICATION ROUND C (REPERCHARGE)

Event cancelled - Radoslaw Wróblewski (Bydgoszcz), Jamie Brown (Sheffield), Jaroslaw Szeps (Toruñ) all progress to quarter finals by default

SENIOR - QUALIFICATION ROUND - D

Qualifiers
Grzegorz Głuchowski (Gniezno), Krzysztof Piskorski (Zielona Góra),Terry Norman (Wednesfield), Marcin Szymański (Zielona Góra), Pawell Kozłowski (Gniezno), Patryk Kriger (Leszno), Andrew Angel (Sheffield), Marcin Paradziński (Torun)
Non Qualifiers
Marcin Niedzielski (Toruń), Garry Pearce (Stoke), Mel Perkins (Hethersett), Dominik Rycharski (Świętochłowice), Chris Timms (Birmingham), Marek Smuda (Leszno), Kamil Krawczyk (Tarnów), Łukasz Taczak (Leszno)

SENIOR - QUALIFICATION ROUND - E

Qualifiers
Rafał Pigoń (Tarnów), Michał Niemczyk (Katowice), Piotr Jamroszczyk (Leszno), Maciej Jagiełło (Świętochłowice), Patryk Jakubczak (Leszno), Mateusz Szymczak (Leszno), Artur Nowak (Leszno)
Non Qualifiers
Jason Barker (Norwich), Mariusz Sobik (Rawicz), Lee Grange (Norwich), Stephen Copping (Norwich), Chris Davies (Newport), Marek Jakubczak (Leszno), Michał Nowak (Gniezno), Mariusz Detlaf (Sołędowo), Łukasz Kokott (Gniezno)

FRIDAY: ZIELONA GORA

JUNIOR - QUALIFICATION ROUNDS

Qualifiers
Leyton Glover (Poole), Ben Mould (Birmingham), Arron Morgan (Poole), Carl Jarvis (Leicester), George Solomon (Norwich), Mark Carmichael (Horspath), Joe Lewis (Newport), Jack Smith (Horspath), Aaron Herbert (Exeter), Ben Higham (Stockport), Benjamin Collins (Hethersett), Ben Dickenson (Sheffield), Daniel Chambers (Hethersett), Paul Heard (Birmingham), Matthew Smith (Sandwell)
Non Qualifiers (to progress to repercharge)
Matthew Mildon (Poole), Ryan Evans (Newport), Dylan Radcliffe (Stockport), Sam Dart (Exeter)
Assumed Non-Starters
Matt Hartshorn (Leicester), Matthew Beharrell (Wednesfield)

2010 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP SPECIAL PREVIEW

This weekend Poland will host the biggest event of the 2010 Cycle Speedway calendar – the European Championships.  A total of four events will be staged over the three days at both the Zielona Gora and Leszno tracks.  Two years ago the championships were staged in Poland and were largely dominated by the host nation, however a lot of progress has been made in two years and perhaps now British Cycle Speedway is ready to stop playing second fiddle to our Polish counterparts.

European Junior Individual Championships - ACADEMY YOUNGSTERS FACE BIGGEST TEST

February will seem a long time ago to the majority of British riders who were being put through their paces by Jimmy Varnish on that infamous freezing cold Sunday morning at Sandwell.  However it’s fair to say the academy sessions at the start of the season have been the platform for which the country’s top junior riders have been able to build their success to date.  The sole intention of the academy was to prepare riders for this event and now with the event so close excitement and expectations could not be greater.
 
If the recent European Club Championships are anything to go by its clear to see that Britain’s top junior riders are stronger, fitter and faster than their Polish rivals.  However racing in Poland is always a leveller for the best junior riders; just ask the likes of Darren Slater and Daniel Pike who in recent years have travelled to Poland with big expectations yet have failed to deliver.
 
The class of 2010 has more experience and track craft than previous years, with the majority of riders racing Premier League.  Normally one British rider will travel as favourite, but with Paul Heard, Carl Jarvis, Tom Reed, Ben Mould and Mark Carmichael all in the draw chances of a British gold medal could not be stronger.  Add to the mix the likes of Dylan Radcliffe, Matt Smith, George Solomon, Dan Chambers, Ben Dickenson, Aaron Morgan and Ben Collins who are all racing with Premier League clubs you can only feel confident that this is the best squad of British riders that has travelled to Poland for a major championships.

Scotland’s young seed Josh Colby maybe spring a surprise and make the final 16, however much will depend whether the Norwich youngster can shake off a hand injury sustained two weeks ago.  Rest assured, the international team managers have a real job ensuring the British riders don’t get complacent and underestimate the Poles, certainly the host nation has quality riders in the draw if not the quantity of the British riders.  

The current Polish junior champion is Szymon Kowalzyk from Ostrow and be looked by far the best Polish junior at the European Club Championships.  Another rider who raced at Bury in May was Kamil Bielaczek who is probably the most technically gifted rider Poland have amongst their junior ranks.  Finally the Brits must keep an eye on the recent winner of the Polish under 14 Championships Bartosz Grabowski.  He is a massive talent, maybe not a winner for 2010 for a definite spoiler with a lot of time on his side.

European Senior Individual Championships - DEFENDING CHAMPION GANCZAREK STARTS FAVOURITE

A lot has been made of the recent withdrawals of British riders from the 2010 competition; yes it’s disappointing that there have been a number of high profile withdrawals however entries in comparison to 2008 are higher so this must be a move in the right direction.
 
There seems to be a different mood amongst the travelling riders this time around – in 2008 riders travelled to compete, in 2010 riders are travelling with a winning mentality.  There is a vibe in Poland that the senior competition will be dominated by home riders on the basis that travelling Brits are always their own worst enemies but the message this time around is underestimate the British riders at your peril!!!!

Lee Aris is well known to the Polish riders as a major threat to the podium and likewise after an excellent European Club Championship Andy Angell will be now also feared amongst the natives.  Steve Harris knows the way to qualify for major finals and Norwich’s Lee Grange is having the season of his life for the Premier League’s basement club.  Terry Norman was one of the best British riders on show in May and if he can adapt to the Polish tracks will have a great chance of doing well.  It will be difficult for the seeds from Wales, Ireland and Scotland (Winwood, Cossey and Newsome) to make the final based on the number of quality riders who will also compete in the last 32.

The host nation has a number of riders who could lift the European crown.  Certainly defending champion Marciek Ganczarek (pictured) will start as meeting favourite, his performance in 2008 was unbelievable and if he can reach this level once again it would take a massive effort to prise the title from his hands.  His team mate Marcin Symanski will be there or there abouts, as will Leicester’s Lukasz Nowacki.  If Nowacki was to finally lift a major title this year every British rider would be delighted for him. 

Probably one of the most underrated Polish riders is Torun’s Marcin Paradzinski; so often the nemesis of Marcin Symanski yet always ignored by his nation when a team selection comes about.  Pure power, aggression and determination make Paradzinski a contender for the title.  His team mate Rafal Dulinski is probably the fastest starter in the sport, perhaps a final draw with two grid one’s could present the 2009 Polish number three with an excellent shout at the podium.

European Junior Cup of Nations - VICTORY ASSUMED

Poland, England and Wales will battle it out for the 2010 Junior Cup of Nations in what is sure to be a tight affair.  Many will assume an England victory, and on paper England have an array of talent to select from, however the Poles will throw the kitchen sink at England to ensure they keep the title they won in 2008. 

Realistically Wales will be too dependent on Mark Carmichael and Ben Mould; however a strong Welsh contingent in the recent British Under-19 Final means they will be no walkover.  Certainly the big two Welsh riders will need support in scoring points if Wales are to avoid the bronze medal.  Full credit to Ian Sizer for taking a Welsh junior team to Poland, certainly they will be well prepared both physically and mentally by their leader.

Pete Barnes must feel like the cat who got the cream when he looks at the riders he has available for selection that are travelling to Poland.  With the likes of Heard, Reed and Jarvis likely to lead the line the real choice is selecting who will join them in the England team.  Hethersett’s Daniel Chambers is having the season of his life and will have a great chance of making the team, as will Dylan Radcliffe who has excelled since racing Premier League for Wednesfield this season.  Matt Smith is super fast from the starts and Sheffield’s Ben Dickenson’s all blood and guts style will suit the Polish scene.  Throw into the mix the likes of George Solomon, Aaron Morgan and Aaron Herbert who have all raced for Young England in 2010 and you can see the talent available for selection.

Poland will know that on paper they are not as strong as England; however they also know cycle speedway is not raced on paper.  The home nation will use every tactic, some legal, some not, to win this event.  If they can race as a stronger unit then their opponents then they have a real chance of taking the gold medal.  There have been whispers as to who will race for Poland; certainly the likes of  Szymon Kowalzyk, Kamil Bielaczek, Pitor Pluczynski and Krystian Górniaczyk will feature.  As to the other selections, that’s anyone’s guess.

European Cup of Nations - ENGLAND MUST BE AGGRESSIVE

2010 will be the tightest contest of the entire weekend, with superpowers Poland and England likely to slog it out for the title.  Two years ago England started with a real purpose, racing to a six point lead in the early stages but were unable to sustain their performance.  Their aggressive style really shocked the Polish and England must adopt these tactics in 2010 if they are to be victorious.

The England team two years ago picked itself however this time around Pete Barnes has another selection headache ahead of him.  Captain Lee Aris will lead the way, likely to be supported by the Sheffield flyer Andy Angell.  Horspath’s action man Mark Boaler is feared by the Polish and is red hot around the Leszno circuit, and his team mate Steve Harris is always good value on the big occasions.  The tricky decision will be the number five slot, the experience of Terry Norman is an option, yet Norwich’s Lee Grange is in fantastic form this season.  A complete wildcard could be Sheffield’s Jono Birks, rumoured to be travelling to Poland and ready to answer the call of his nation if required.

The team who drop the least points to the smaller nations will be the victors in this contest, and Wales poses a real threat to the big two nations.  Do Wales have the ability to sustain a challenge for the title throughout the entire match – probably not?  However what Wales do posess is an exciting mixture of experience and youth, speed and strength and 100% complete passion.   Rest assured Ian Sizer will have Wales fired up ready to cause some real damage in this event, with their team likely to be made up of Mark Winwood, Dave Murphy, Mark Carmichael and Ben Mould.

The wooded spoon is likely to be a battle between Ireland and Scotland, with both nations unable to track full teams to Poland.  Ireland will be dependent on Leigh Cossey to score their points; likewise Scotland will be looking to Craig Newsome to do the same.  An interesting battle will be Colby vs. Colby, with stepfather Gary wearing the emerald green and young son Josh wearing the tartan blue.
 
As for Poland, perhaps asking Marcin Symanski (pictured) to race and coach is too much for the Zielona Gora superstar.  Publicly naming the Polish team before this event is a potential schoolboy error from a man under pressure following his recent bust up with friend and teammate Radek Handke. With many riders rumoured to be unhappy with the timing of the team selection, and the actual riders selected, preparations for this competition have been far from perfect.  However putting all the off the track issues aside Poland still start this match as favourites, being on home turf with their passionate crowd behind them gives them a big advantage.  The Polish team is quoted as being made up from Marcin Symanski, Marciek Ganczarek, Mateus Szymczak, Greg Gluchowski and Lukasz Nowacki.

The 2010 European Championships looks set to be a cracking weekend of racing.  Please get behind all the British riders travelling to Poland and give them your full support.  

STRONG UK CONTINGENT AT EURO 2010 - posted 24 April 2010

A strong contingent of close on 60 UK riders will contest this year's European individual championship in Poland at the end of July.  The British challenge is spearheaded by
 the country's top three riders, Lee Aris, Steve Harris and Mark Boaler, who dominated the medals at last year's national championships.  Also competing are 2005 and 2008 British champions, Terry Norman and Gavin Wheeler together with a galaxy of England internationals including Andy Angell, Jamie Brown, Daniel Pike, Shaun Rudman and Marcus Wadhams.

The junior category looks eqaully strong.  There'll be much pressure on the likes of Thomas Reed, Mark Carmichael, Paul Heard and Carl Jarvis to be on the victory rostrum, indeed all the British youngsters will be out to impress as one of the major objectives of the recently introduced Youth Academy is to have at least eight UK riders in the European junior championship final in Poland in 2010 with at least one British rider on the rostrum.

The full entry is

Senior
Rob Absalom, Andrew Angell, Lee Aris, Mark Boaler, Jamie Brown, Tom Colling, Barry Copping, Stephen Copping, Chris Davies, Simon Gamble, Ian Grange, Lee Grange, Nathan Groves, Steve Harris, Dave Murphy, Terry Norman, Garry Pearce, Mel Perkins, Daniel Pike, Neil Power, Shaun Rudman, Chris Timms, Marcus Wadhams, Gavin Wheeler, Colin Wildy, Mark Winwood     
Junior
Matthew Beharrell, Mark Carmichael, Daniel Chambers, Jamie Chittock, Wayne Clarke, Josh Colby, Benjamin Collins, Matt Coulter, Sam Dart, Ben Dickenson, Ryan Evans, Leyton Glover, Jack Harrold, Matt Hartshorn, Paul Heard, Aaron Herbert, Ben Higham, Aaron Hughes, Luke Jamson, Carl Jarvis, Joe Lewis, Matthew Mildon, Arron Morgan, Ben Mould, Dylan Radcliffe, Thomas Reed, Jack Smith, Matthew Smith, George Solomon, Marcus Szyszlyk, Matthew Turley, Robbie Venson