The new 2016 Cycle Speedway raced into action at Hearsall Common last Sunday afternoon and Coventry heralded in their new Elite League era by romping to a convincing 97-82 against a spirited Norwich side in a challenge match.
After weeks of rain, and overnight frost, extremely heavy conditions greeted the two teams as they also battled against the chilling cold. Both teams made the best of it, with the match producing some spectacular action, and raced in a friendly sporting manner.
The Norfolk side were bolstered by two Birmingham heat leaders, including World number 2 Chris Timms, in their ranks to provide a competitive match. Just 20 minutes before the off, Coventry lost brilliant young prospect Jake Slatter, who was taken ill.
Norwich produced a shock in heat 1, by taking maximum points with guest rider Timms to the fore. It was not long before Coventry levelled the scores, before forging ahead.
The outstanding Dominik Rycharski was in electrifying form for Coventry. Now in his tenth season at the club, the Polish multi world finalist made several superb passes from the back.
He then showed his all-round game by brilliantly gating across Timms, from the outside grid, to post yet another heat win as Coventry slowly pulled ahead.
Coventry`s Great Britain star Myke Grimes also started the season in fine style. He majestically burst around the outside on two occasions as Coventry pressed home their advantage.
Norwich did close the gap early in the second period but the home side immediately restored their dominance. The Bobby McMillan and Dan Drewett partnership scored maximum points as Coventry extended their lead.
The best races of the afternoon were between Coventry`s teenage star Kyle Roberts and World runner-up Timms. In two pulsating duels, Roberts came out on top but Timms sportingly offered his hand of congratulations on both occasions.
The visitors tried hard to the end but in the final analysis, Coventry`s top four riders were simply too outstanding. It was an excellent workout and the tough going will have given both teams a fitness boost.
Coventry point scorers: Domini Rycharski 19, Myke Grimes 18, Bobby McMillan 17 Kyle Roberts 17, Dan Drewett 12, Matt Hambridge 5, Ollie Morris 5 and Sammi Marsh 4.
The two teams resume their early season preparations by racing a return challenge match this Sunday in Norfolk. With Myke Grimes unavailable due to a coaching course, Coventry make use of the challenge match status by drafting in Australian star Cordy Chadwick as a replacement.
Coventry are next in action on Sunday 3rd April, when they play host to Ipswich in the first Elite League match of the current era at Hearsall Common. The host club will be pulling out all the stops to make it a day to remember. The tapes will rise at 2pm.
They will be further local action two days later, when the Brandon Bees entertain Leicester in a Midland League junior challenge on Tuesday 5th April. The match will take place at Bretford Playing Fields at 7.15pm.
Coventry are continuing their appeal for more volunteers to help maintain the Brandon track and to organize matches at the venue. More volunteers have been recruited recently. Interested parties should email Pauline Stuart at: csccoventry@hotmail.co.uk
For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway club, please go to: www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk
ENDS
NOTES TO MEDIA
Coventry Cycle Speedway team are based at Hearsall Common, Earsldon, Coventry, one mile from the city centre.
In 2015, the club race in the Midlands League. They will also compete in a host of other events. They will compete in the 2015 World championships, to be held in the UK in August, and at a host of other competitions at senior, junior and veteran’s level.
By agreement with Coventry City Council, the club occupy the Hearsall Common Cycle Speedway track. In May 2011, the club, utilising their own voluntary labour and self-generated funds, reinstated the Hearsall Common track to international standard, after four years of decline. This was at no cost to any taxpayer.
An astonishing revival took place throughout the summer of 2011. Once again, the Hearsall Common track now boasts a thriving community sports club, catering for elite sporting cyclists and providing a rich range of exciting racing competition for scores of local young people. Parents of local youngsters help organise the club.
In 2012, Myke Grimes became the first Coventry club member for nearly 30 years to reach the British Final. They also very successfully launched a winter indoor venture in Coventry, resulting in the British Indoor Finals being staged in Coventry at the Sports Connection.
A brand new safety fence, costing over five figures, was constructed around the Hearsall Common track in May 2013.
On Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August 2013, the Coventry club staged the British Final at Hearsall Common in glittering style. The British Final was shown on Sky Sports in March 2014 in the UK, and will be broadcast in over 30 countries worldwide, with a global reach of over 200 million homes.
This worldwide TV coverage generated the biggest international exposure for the city of Coventry since Football matches were staged at the Rioch Arena as part of the Olympic Games of 2012.
The new 2015 season will run from March to October. Coventry have signed world class Australian rider Bobby McMillan for the new season. Aged 22 years, the 2012 Australian national champion will live and work in Coventry. He will assist in the coaching of the clubs` many young riders.
The highlight of the 2015 season will be the third and final International Test match on Thursday 6th August (7.15pm start), between Great Britain and Australia. It will be the first ever official Cycle Speedway Test match in the history of the sport in Coventry.