|
RIDER NEWS
YOUNG BURY RIDER HONOURED posted 21 February 2014
A young Bury rider has been award the Go-Ride Young Volunteer of the Year (North West) award to reflect all the hard work he puts in, not just for Bury CSC but for his school as well.
A tremendous talent as a rider, Danny Taylor has also taken on the role of announcer on several occasions. He is looking forward to the new season and has been a leading light in the pre-season training.
SHEFFIELDS CYCLO-CROSS STAR posted 21 February 2014
Young Sheffield Star Tom Scott is making a real name for himself in cyclo cross.
The nine-year-old from Handsworth dominated the British Schools Cycling Associations Yorkshire age-group championship at Spen Valley in Huddersfield.
Making a whirlwind cycle speedway start, young Tom rocketed to the front and gradually increased his lead as the race progressed, crossing the line to comfortably win. More than 25 boys and girls competed in the race, which lasted about 15 minutes.
Clearly delighted and hardly out of breath, Tom said he was over the moon after winning his first county title.
SAMMIE LOVES BEATING THE BOYS posted 20 February 2014
Though cycle speedway's main media attention is focused on the senior riders, British championships and those who have dedicated their lives to our great sport; ultimately without riders like Sammie Marsh, our sport wouldn't survive.
Sammie is just one of many youth riders who participate for Coventry Cycle Speedway and is one of two girl racers in the local area. Sammie is not alone. Her father, Lee, is the Coventry senior team manager whilst brother Josh is also a junior rider.
Speaking about how she got into the sport, Sammie replied "I started in September 2012. We drove past the track and decided to give the sport a go. Now it's in mine and my brother Josh's blood! I needed to have a way of keeping fit. I thought cycling would help and it definitely does."
With Sammie being the only girl racer at Coventry in 2013, many would presume she's find the going tough. However she disagrees as she commented "The fact I compete with boys doesn't bother me, I love it! People have said I beat some boys and some people say I'm a mini Ellie Sullivan which is good because she is amazing. I look up to riders like Lauren Davies, Charlie-Jane Herbert and Vicky Brown."
You can catch the rest of Sammie's story by visiting the Coventry Cycle Speedway website http://www.coventrycsc.com/page4.htm
MCLAUGHLIN DOGGED BY HEALTH ISSUES posted 20 February 2014
One of the sports leading veteran racers is to miss the start of the season after a close season dogged by different health issues.
Coventry`s Joe McLaughlin missed all the indoor season through to reoccurring acute headaches, originally thought to be related to a crash against Wednesfield Dragons at home. Following an MIR scan in November, he has recently been given the all clear on this but has been told to reduce his PC related work to one hour a day.
After reducing his professional workload, the 2013 British Final promoter underwent surgery on a different matter a month ago. This has since become infected, leaving the Coventry rider laid up for the past month.
He said "Its not been an enjoyable winter health wise, as I am normally so busy in life. It looks like I am on the mend now but I have no chance of making the starting line for the start of the new season. I can`t wait to get out and start training for the EuroVets, the British Vets and to try to retain my place in the Coventry first team".
Coventry start their 2014 season by visiting Swindon on 9th March at the Oasis Leisure Centre.
SHAUN REYNOLDS CHARITY CHALLENGE posted 17 February 2014
Cycle speedway racer and all round biking enthusiast, Shaun Reynolds is riding from his home in Leamington to London to help raise funds for the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.
Shaun has raced for Coventry Cycle Speedway since July 2012 and has since got involved in the media side of the club. Reynolds aims to raise £400 for the Riders Fund by July 30th - the date he is due to arrive in London. Shaun will not be alone. He will ride alongside his friend Ed who is raising funds for Prostate Cancer.
Commenting on the fund raising event, Reynolds said "I've done ambitious rides with Ed before however this is by far our biggest challenge. I'm hoping to receive strong support from the speedway and cycle Speedway community to help raise my target of £400.
"I'm overwhelmed with the response so far, which has raised £110 already! I've got the local paper involved and will hopefully be working with my Inside Speedway Magazine colleague, Scott Frame, to promote the ride on BikerFM's weekly Speedway show.
"We set off on July 29th so have got plenty of time to train and prepare. I'll be going round cycle speedway meetings with a charity bucket so any possible money you can donate would be massively appreciated."
You can donate money to Shaun by using the following link
http://www.gofundme.com/6t0gio
or you can contact him via twitter @95_reynolds.
BRITISH FINAL TARGET FOR GRIMES posted 15 February 2014
Since taking up the sport again in 2010, Coventry number one Myke
Grimes has established himself to be one of the most improved riders in recent years, making his international debut at Wednesfield last term.
Myke spoke to press reporter Shaun Reynolds about what was a
successful 2013 season and his aspiration for the coming season. Heres what he had to say.
With a new born baby on the way, Grimes is preparing for a life changing year. However the former British finalist is still planning for a strong season. Commenting on 2013, Grimes said I had a great season last year; good progress was made despite the disappointment of not qualifying for the British final.
There were a few particular highlights; obviously representing
England for the first time was a great honour. I managed a fair few maximums for Coventry in Midland League One and scored a good average for my first season in the Elite League with Birmingham, although finishing rock bottom was disappointing. The main highlight has to be seeing the club grow in such a way and have record numbers at our club nights on Wednesdays, as well as pulling off a memorable British final.
Regarding 2014, Grimes added I think the aim will always be on the British final in Bury. However with a newborn on the way in the next few weeks, training may be more limited. I've been relentlessly putting in the hours in the gym over the winter, so I'm feeling prepared. With Coventry I'd like to see us pushing towards the top end of ML1, this time with no loans. It will be a big test for our youngsters, but with a bit of belief I think we can pull it off and get some big wins.
"With Sheffield, we won't be fancied against the likes of Wednesfield. It's all names on paper though and we definitely have the squad to beat them all if we come together as a solid unit. We've got some great riders."
You can read Myke's full interview - plus an interview with Coventry team manager Lee Marsh - using http://coventrycsc.com/page4.htm. Inside Track is a weekly feature on the Coventry site and can be viewed every Thursday evening!
AUSSIE STAR JOINS SHEFFIELD posted 6 February 2014
One of Australias biggest cycle speedway stars has joined Sheffield.
Aussie international Bobby McMillan from Adelaide will be spending up to twelve months touring the UK and is looking forward to racing in the Elite League for the South Yorkshire club.
21-year-old McMillan has been a member of the famous Findon club for twelve years during which time he has been a regular podium finisher. He won the South Australian championships in 2011 and distinguished himself during the recent Ashes series as a member of the Australian senior team. He also has the honour of being the youngest ever manager of the Australian junior team.
The Aussie star is convinced that the trip to England and racing for Sheffield will improve both his riding skills and his level of fitness. He has always liked and had a soft spot for Sheffield as he has got to know many of the clubs members and is confident that they will make him feel at home and part of the family.
BAILEY RAISING MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH posted 19 January 2014
Long-time Swindon cycle speedway rider James Bailey is getting on his bike for charity and is hoping Spokesman readers can help him raise money for Cancer Research.
James (pictured inside gate) will be taking part in a 65 mile bike ride around London starting at midnight on 7 June.
This is going to be my first charity event. It's going to be hard but with help from my partner who is also taking part in this event, I have got somebody to help me and push me along the 65 miles! smiled James as he told Spokesman all about his adventure.
Cancer Research is very close to my heart and to my family and friends and raising money is very important because at one time or another everybody is affected by cancer, whether it be yourself, family or friends - so please if you can donate by clicking on the link below to a very worth while charity!! Thank you.
http://m.virginmoneygiving.com/mt/uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=JamesBailey1989&un_jtt_redirect
WHITEHEADS CHARITY MARATHON posted 14 January 2014
One of the Midlands best known cycle speedway personalities and erstwhile leading referee Nick Whitehead has set himself a daunting challenge running a marathon for charity. Nick is hoping that his many friends who read Spokesman will help him realise his target of raising £100 for cancer research. Nick picks up the story.
I have decided to step into the dark side and run the Milton Keynes marathon on May Day 2014. I have decided that just running is not enough and would like to raise some money for cancer research with a view to hopefully one day beating cancer in the future.
If you would be so kind and sponsor me any amount in the hope that I can at least raise £100 for cancer research. There are a number of ways that you can donate by visiting
http://www.justgiving.com/Nicky-Whitehead?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=shares-from-eua&utm_content=Nicky-Whitehead&utm_campaign=eua-share-facebook
I have also decided to create a time lottery to help raise some extra money to a great cause. The time lottery will be £2. All you have to do is send me a message on Facebook, by text or by email with the time that you think I will complete the marathon in and pay £2. The person who can guess the nearest time will get half of the time lottery funds for example if I raise £20 through the time lottery you will win £10. If I raise £40 you get £20 and so on.
Please, please, please donate and help me try and raise £100 for cancer research. If you decide to donate through the online link can you please click the gift aid box so that all the money donated goes to a great charity. Thank you so much said Nick.
WADHAMS SET FOR DRAMATIC RETURN posted 11 January 2014
There is growing speculation that one of the sports most gifted riders is about to make a dramatic return to the saddle. Recent speculation in the social media and a surprise appearance at last weekends national indoor championships at Coventry has increased speculation that Birminghams Marcus Wadhams is set to take up the sport again.
It is unlikely that Wadhams, one of the fastest, most exciting riders in the game, will want to ply his trade solely in the Midland League adding to suggestions that he will join an Elite League club before the transfer window closes at the end of January. Wadhams is remaining tight-lipped about his plans but is being widely linked with Horspath a path already trodden by Birmingham team mates Scott Millward and Chris Timms.
STONE HOME AFTER HORROR CRASH posted 10 January 2014
Andy Stone is back home in Exeter following his horrific crash at the indoor championships at Coventry Connexion last weekend,
The self-employed builder clipped an opponents back wheel and crashed heavily. Clearly in agony Stone was taken to the local hospital where a broken leg and knee was diagnosed. He was immediately put in plaster from his thigh to his toes.
Faced with the prospect of not only having an operation but being stranded in Coventry for several days while he recuperated, a friend drove from Devon to the Midlands to collect Andy who is now back home awaiting an operation next week.
Editors Note I am sure I speak for all Spokesman readers in wishing Andy a full and speedy recovery.
TIMMS BANNED FOR FOUR MONTHS posted 8 January 2014
Birmingham cycle speedway star Chris Timms has been banned for four months.
The sanction was imposed after a British Cycling disciplinary committee found the rider guilty of physical and verbal abuse against a referee.
Timms was involved in an altercation with the match official during a league match between Wednesfield and Birmingham in October. At the end of heat 17 Timms was issued with a yellow card for the use of foul and abusive language directed at the referee. He was then issued with a red card for further use of foul and abusive language.
Timms reacted by entering the centre green and physically assaulting the referee. Reports about the incident vary, some witnesses describing it as a head push while other suggested it was a head butt. In any event the disciplinary panel considered that it was a physical action made to intimidate orprovoke the refereewhich constitutes misconduct under British Cycling rules.
Flashpoint - Birmingham's Chris Timms confronts the match official.
Timmss licence has been suspended until 6 April after the disciplinary panel of Aidan Hegarty, Phil Townsend and Trevor Smith found Timms guilty of the offence.
The suspension will have little impact for the rider as it takes place primarily in the close season. Timms had to sit out the national indoor championships in Coventry but is expected to represent his new club, Horspath, in their first Elite League match of the season.
Originally Timms was offered a specified sanction by British Cycling which would have seen him banned for ten months, ruling him out of the Oz tour and most of the 2014 season including the national championships at Bury in August.
Instead the rider asked for a personal hearing in front of a disciplinary panel which, meant, under British Cycling rules, he was free to represent Great Britain in Australia during the winter.
HADDOCK RETIREMENT SHOCK posted 15 December 2013
One of cycle speedways brightest prospects has unexpectedly hung up his wheels.
Great Britain junior international and key member of Wednesfields British team championship winning team, Matt Haddock has announced his retirement from the game. Recently returned from Australia, it appears Haddock was disillusioned with the tour and the state of the sport in general..
Firstly I would like to thank the Aussies for their wonderful hospitality but to be perfectly honest I do believe that the GB tour of 2013 in Australia was over-rated for many reasons Haddock told Spokesman.
It has made me realise that cycle speedway and British Cyclinghas no future in progressing further as a sport. It is for that reason I havedecided to hang up my wheels and will be pursuing a full time career in the Forces.
I have to thank for those that have supported me over the years, throughout my cycle speedway career, including Wednesfield Aces, Ian Brown, Steve Mullinder and my family.
Although I do admit the sport is good fun, the money it costs in travelling and equipment and the time it takes up the sport is simply not worth it. However I have enjoyed what I have achieved in various age groups individually and as a team.
Haddock, one of the most promising youngsters of his generation, first hit the headlines when he won the 2009 national under-13 indoor title, following that up with victory in the corresponding outdoor championship a year later when, in the colours of Sandwell, he became British under-13 champion.
Haddocks surprise decision will come as a blow to Wednesfield who saw the Midland youngster as a cornerstone on which to build the next generation of championship winning teams.
INTERESTING CLOSE SEASON posted 22 October 2013
With the Elite League season at an end and the news that Birmingham will not be competing in the top tier next year, speculation is already mounting about the future of some of their star riders.
Even their own website has added to the speculation, stating With this news the rumour mill has been going with the trio of Chris Timms, Nathan Groves and Mark Winwood and who they will be riding for in the Elite League in 2014.
With Newport replacing Birmingham and club supremo Colin Simmons making no secret of the fact that they will be strengthening their side, there is much speculation that the likes of Mark Carmichael and Jack Harrold could return to race in the Principality.
Meanwhile riders like Neil Hollebon (pictured), arguably the best rider outside the Elite League, have resisted offers to join top flight teams in favour of racing for their local team in the regional league.
Its certainly making for an interesting close season.
|
