2013 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, AUSTRALIA

TOUR “CONSIDERED A SUCCESS” SAYS DIRECTOR – posted 23 December 2013 

The 2013 Tour to Australia was one of the most successful tours for a number of years according to tour director Ian Brown.

Presenting his report to the Cycle Speedway Commission, Brown pointed out that Team GB had provided two of the four World champions, the GB junior test team had beaten Australia by five rubbers to nil and the women had won by four tests to one, described by Ian Brownas “a terrific series which crushed all doubts about women’s racing.”

However there were problems including the late arrival of the Team GB kit.

“All the shirts were too small and only fitted the girls” Brown told fellow Commissioners.  “When the shirts arrived I had to pay A$373 to get them out of Customs” he added.

There were also issues with the accommodation.

“The cabins were unsuitable for the tour as the majority were too small for the number for people in them.  They were also very tired. There were three instances of damage.  All the damage was accidental or unintentional and reported immediately to me”reported Brown.

As well as personally thanking tour officials for their dedication and professionalism, Brown was at pains to acknowledge the contribution made by other personnel including Neil Hollebon for going the extra mile with all of the non-driving tour members, Matt Smith for rebuilding wheels and providing the maintenance for all riders, Steve Copping for keeping a record of all the results and Lucy Whitehead for washing the GB shirts every single day throughout the series – 14 washes in all!

Brown also highlighted the contribution made by Tina Sidwick for her assistance as women’s chaperone and Denise Lush and Anne Heard for providing pastoral care and being a mother figure to several riders including all of the girls.

“Overall, the tour was a considered a success on the track” concluded Brown “but significant issues were apparent off it. The Commission will carefully consider these before any further representative overseas travel is considered” he warned.

BRITISH CYCLING FACE MASSIVE BILL AFTER GB TOURISTS TRASH BEACH PARK – posted 28 November 2013

British Cycling has been landed with a massive A$2640 (£1,478) bill after cycle speedway personnel trashed and damaged cabins at the Discovery Holiday Park on Adelaide Beachfront.

Housekeeping staff at the park were left “distressed and troubled by the lack of respect and the wilful damage to the cabins.”

“We are disappointed and shocked at the unsanitary condition that the accommodation was left in when the group vacated the accommodation” said a spokesman for the holiday park.

In all, eight cabins were damaged and required emergency repairs and additional cleaning after the cycle speedway group left.

Amongst the damage was a large hole in the lounge wall of one cabin, a burnt floor, a hole in a bedroom ceiling, a hole in a bedroom door and toilet roll holders needed replacing.  In addition ten towels
were damaged, two fire extinguishers needed replacing and drawers were also broken.  Several cabins were left in a “disgusting”
state, requiring 25 hours additional cleaning. 

Tour official Peter Barnes inspected all of the accommodation and was apologetic and embarrassed by the condition that the accommodation was left in.

British Cycling has invoiced those concerned for the damage and additional cleaning.  The governing body is expected to launch an
enquiry into the matter and could take disciplinary action again the perpetrators.

NEWPORT RIDERS IN AUSTRALIA – posted 5 November 2013

On Saturday afternoon Newport-based cycle speedway riders left the recent storms behind and headed off to the sun in South Australia in the hunt for more silverware.

Newport cycle speedway club secretary, Colin Simmons, veteran of three Oz tours, caught up with the Newport and Wales national team manager Nicky Evans to get his views of the challenge ahead as the riders met at Newport’s international sports village before their first leg of the journey to Heathrow.  This is what Nicky Evans had to say.

We have a very talented squad of riders travelling to the World championships this year. Over the past eight months, the success gained at individual and team levels can only be looked upon as a force to be reckoned with.  The winning hunger has really shone through and has allowed everyone of us involved to step up to that next level of racing.

The preparation by the squad has been second to none.  On top of our weekly training sessions, many riders have taken their training off the track, implementing our training plans put together by our hard working British Cycling coaches, Stuart Raven and Tony Bennett who rightfully deserve a big thank you.

I am sure our young Welsh junior team of Josh Davis, Ieuan Payne, Jacob Soper and girl racer Rebecca Davies will do us all proud and will be taking this tour as a big learning curve for the future competing against strong and older opposition.

The Wales senior riders Jack Harrold, Kieran Jones, Ben Mould and myself will be meeting up with team and club mates Mark Winwood and Oli Sidwick at Heathrow which is where the official Great Britain tour party will be departing.  In addition to us all having the privilege to represent Wales on the tour for the World Cup, Ben, Jack, Oli and Rebecca have been given the honour to represent Team GB as first choice team members.  Late call ups have also been put out for Mark Winwood, Jacob Soper and myself, based on our recent performances, which can only be a great confidence boost for the whole Welsh squad.  Who knows is this our year?

LESZNO BOOST FOR POLISH SQUAD – posted 19 October 2013

Question marks had been raised about whether Poland would be contenders for the 2013 World Cup but the Eastern European's have significantly increased their chances with the late addition of Leszno pair Marcin Szymanski and Maciej Ganczarek.

The ICSF has announced that former World champion Szymanski (also the reigning European champion), and team mate Ganczarek will join a team that already includes reigning World champion Lukasz Nowacki and fast-gating Gniezno junior Bartek Grabowski who starred for Poland in their recent test series victory over Team GB.

Additionally the Leszno will now be represented in South Australia by Mateusz Ludwiczak and junior rider Michal Sassek following Friday's news that all four have received eleventh hour funding from their regional council.

These Leszno riders join the previously confirmed Polish squad members to create the following senior and junior squads:

Senior

Lukasz Nowacki, Marcin Szymanski, Maciej Ganczarek, Bartek Grabowski, Przemek Binkowski, Marcin Kolata, Arek Szymanski, Pawel Cegielski, Lukasz Marchlewski and Adam Bozejewicz

Junior

Adam Bozejewicz, Lukasz Marchlewski, Bartosz Grabowski, Arek Szymanski,

Michal Sassek and Sandra Tamborska.

This should present Poland with an opportunity to field a useful World Cup quartet, whilst they now also have added strength for the new Federation Cup which will feature a seven-rider teams in competition with Australia and GB over 27 heats of pairs racing.

SMURTHWAITE’S WORLDS HEARTBREAK – posted 19 October 2013 

Popular Sheffield Junior rider Zach Smurthwaite has broken his arm while training for the forthcoming trip to Australia. Zach slipped his pedals at high speed and crashed out landing on his left arm.

Being in considerable pain, he visited the North General Hospital where it was confirmed he had a clean break of the arm. 

He has a half pot plaster on at the moment and will see a consultant at the hospital on Sunday to decide if he needs an operation to repair the damage.

Whatever the outcome he will have a full pot on for six to ten which has automatically put him out of the World championships in Australia in two weeks time. Zach is now hoping he will be allowed to fly with his pot on so he can still enjoy his Australia trip.

A spokesman for the club said ” We will help in anyway we can to make sure Zach gets to Oz.  Firstly we just need to see what is said at the hospital on Sunday.”

Another Sheffeild rider, Jono Birks, broke his ankle just before

flying out to Australia and he was fitted with a special pot to allow

him to fly.

“On behalf of all members of the Sheffield club we wish Zach

a speedy recovery” added a club spokesman.

NEW ZEALAND DISAPPOINTMENT – posted 1 October 2013

Hopes that riders from New Zealand will compete in the 2013 World championships in Adelaide have been dashed after the New Zealand authorities confirmed that no competitors from the fledgling cycle speedway nation would be making the trip to Australia.

However New Zealand administrator Bryan Scott is hoping to travel to Adelaide to meet and greet members of the ICSF and to inform them of track progress.

WORLD NOMINATIONS UPDATED – posted 24 September 2013

The Australian Cycle Speedway Council, hosts for the 2013 World cycle speedway championships, have today unveiled the latest nominations for the World individual championships.

UK riders are asked to check their nominations and let Dave Murphy know of any changes.  It should be noted that junior and veteran nominations require proof of age prior to the events.

Senior

Ross Priest (Australia), Trent Forester (Australia), Shane Bentley (Australia), Bobby Mcmillan (Australia), Michael Bouhalis (Australia), Brad Hoppo (Australia), Paul White (Australia), Robert Fitzpatrick (Australia), Daniel Robb (Australia), Nash Manoel (Australia), Ty Geertsen (Australia), Przemek Binkowski (Poland), Adam Bozejewicz (Poland), Pawel Cegielski (Poland), Lukasz Marchlewski (Poland),

Bartoz Grabowski (Poland), Marcin Kolata (Poland), Arek Szymanski (Poland), Lukas Nowacki (Poland), Sandra Tamborska (Poland), Daniel Bax (Australia), Jay Mccarthy (Australia), Rob Mathews (Australia), Daniel Thompson (Australia), Robert Sellick (Australia), Cameron Crisp (Australia), Robert Fleming (Australia), Andrew Wilkie (Australia), Matt Dawson (Australia), Jay Walters (Australia), Tyrone Walters (Australia), Connor Whelan (Australia), Shane Weinert (Australia), Matt Mathews (Australia), Ben Blaker (Australia), Cody Chadwick (Australia), Tony Bax (Australia), Ryan Edson (Australia), Gavin Nugent (Australia), Joel Chadwick (Australia), Ryan Greenhalgh (Australia), Daniel Pudney (Australia), Darren Anderson (Australia),

Jac Atkinson (Australia), Brayden Clarke (Australia), Lee Aris (England), Andy Angell (England), Mark Winwood (Wales), Steve Harris (England), Christopher Timms (England), Paul Heard (England), Matthew Haddock (England), Ben Mould (Wales), Steve Copping (Ireland), Dave Murphy (Wales), Ryan Hoyland (England), Wil Bristow (England), Dan Chambers (England), Ian Lawrence (Australia), Lee Lawrence (Scotland), Jacob Soper (Wales), Jake Read (England), Vicky Brown (England), Arron Morgan (England), Richard Hudson (England), Oliver Sidwick (England), Zach Smurthwaite (England), Leyton Glover (England), Nicky Evans (Wales), Matt Smith (England), Aaron Smith (England), Jesse Moore (England), Neil Hollebon (England), Jack Harrold (Wales), Matt Lush (England), Jack Lush (England), Ricki Johnson (England), Ashley Hill (England), Keiran Jones (Wales), Jonno Birks (England), Thomas Reed (England), Gavin Wheeler (England)

Junior

Angus Freeman (Australia), Trent Forester (Australia), Matthew Forester (Australia), Shane Bentley (Australia), Brodie Wohlschlager (Australia), Andrew Wilkie (Australia), Adam Bozejewicz (Poland), Lukasz Marchlewski (Poland), Bartoz Grabowski (Poland), Arek Szymanski (Poland), Corey Stevens (Australia), Sandra Tamborska (Poland), Jay Mccarthy (Australia), Mark Sheldon (Australia), Cameron Zadow (Australia), Jake Mathews (Australia), Brayden Clarke (Australia), Andrew Wilkie (Australia), Jack Norman (Australia), Nicky Kinross (Australia), Miriam Thompson (Australia), Latisha Bevear (Australia), Lucy Millikin (Australia), Connor Whelan (Australia), Mathew Hurley (Australia), Ryan Greenhalgh (Australia), Braden Makepeace (Australia), Josh Carden (Australia), Jac Atkinson (Australia), Jamie-Lee Clee-Collins (Australia), Leuan Payne (Wales), Livvi Horsley (England), Jack Harrold (Wales), Matt Lush (England), Jack Lush (England), Ricki Johnson (England), Matthew Haddock (England), Jacob Soper (Wales), Josh Davis (Wales), Wil Bristow (England), Zach Smurthwaite (England), Jake Read (England), Ashley Hill (England), Rebecca Davies (Wales), Arron Morgan (England), Richard Hudson (England), Caris Glover (England), Aaron Smith (England), Jesse Moore (England), Oliver Sidwick (England), Lauren Hookway (England)

Women

Kayleigh Clarke (Australia), Sandra Tamborska (Poland), Ebony Clark (Australia), Jackie Kinross (Australia), Sarah Kinross (Australia), Nicky Kinross (Australia), Miriam Thompson (Australia), Latisha Bevear (Australia), Lucy Millikin (Australia), Letitia Collins (Australia), Annabell Blaker (Australia), Jess Snowden (Australia), Carly Martin (Australia), Shiranta Aston (Australia), Sara-Jane Clee-Collins (Australia), Jayden Whelan (Australia), Charlie Jane Herbert (England), Vicky Brown (England), Lauren Davies (England), Rebecca Davies (Wales), Caris Glover (England), Lauren Hookway (England), Livvi Horsley (England), Lucy Whitehead (England), Michelle Whitehead (England)

Veterans

Brad Hoppo (Australia), Evan Bull (Australia), Darren Schultz (Australia), Rob Mathews (Australia), Lee Lawrence (Scotland), Paul White (Australia), Steve Clarke (Australia), Darren Anderson (Australia), Darren Mathews Salisbury (Australia), Robert Fleming (Australia), Tom Thompson (Australia), Darren Mathews Lefevrre (Australia), Micah Wiliams (Australia), Martin Caporn (Australia), Grant Petrusevics (Australia), Garry Nicholls (Australia), Gavin Nugent (Australia), Sean Rigby (Australia), Cori Simpson (Australia), Ian Lawrence (Australia), Chic Mackie (Scotland), Bob Prince (England), Steve Harris (England), Dave Murphy (Wales), Norman Venson (England), Mark Whitehead (England), John Whiting (England)

NEW POSTER UNVEILED - posted 24 March 2013 




A new World Championship poster has been unveiled.  Designed by Australian Ryan Green the poster features some spectacular action photographs and contains a link to the official World Championship website.