Over the Bank Holiday weekend 15 riders from Poole Cycle Speedway club based in Harbourside Park, travelled to compete in the British Championships at Hull, Sheffield and Manchester.
Over the Bank Holiday weekend 15 riders from Poole Cycle Speedway club based in Harbourside Park, travelled to compete in the British Championships at Hull, Sheffield and Manchester.
The weekend saw 3 riders from the Poole Club crowned Champions: Madeline Saunders (Elite Women’s), Gavin Wheeler (Veterans Over 40s) and Phil Gard (Veterans Over 60s). With all 3 riders winning their titles on maximum points it wasn’t an easy feat.
Saunders’ title was closely fought for in her last heat after sealing off victory from her opponent in the last corner after being chased for 4 laps. Some great passes from her throughout the meeting finally saw her land top spot after finishing on the rostrum for the previous 2 years. With Saunders and her teammates Lexie Curtis, Nataleigh Goulden and Daisy Sherwood, Poole had the most girls entered in the Women’s Final. Curtis finished on 12 points and after a few tumbles from Goulden and Sherwood they picked themselves up and carried on to finish on 9 and 13 points respectively. In the under 16 Girls competition Curtis, Goulden and Sherwood all battled it out in horrible conditions. Curtis came out on top finishing in 3rd position with the other 2 Poole Girls just a couple of points behind her. Millie Shear ventured into her first British Championship Finals weekend entering the u12 Girls and u14 Girls events, coming out in 4th and 8th positions respectively- a very big achievement with great experience gained.
Gard sailed to victory in the Over 60s category retaining his title from 2022. The other 2 podium positions were decided in an extra heat “run-off” as 3 riders all finished tied on 14 points, 2 of which were Stevie Nation and Colin Rowles from Poole. Rowles finished the run-off in second place meaning he joined teammate Gard on the rostrum in 3rd place. It wasn’t meant to be for Nation this year despite his best efforts for the podium position. The Over 50s Competition saw another success for Gard, finishing in 3rd in this meeting. Joined by teammate Alan Nation who finished on 12 points, pushing fiercely towards podium positions, a big improvement from him compared to last years competition.
After 15 years without a title, Wheeler lucked in this year to win the Over 40s Championship. A redemption from the British Finals last year after his bike was stolen on the Championship weekend from his hotel, he pipped Phil Gard to victory by 2 points. This completed Gard’s collection of a medal of each metal. Alan Nation also rode to an excellent 8 points. Hard worked for and experienced riding from Wheeler saw him earn his trophy after being one of the favourites pre-meeting. Wheeler also qualified for the Open Final where he finished on 14 points, just a point away from 3rd position.
The Open competition saw 3 Poole riders qualify, Gavin Wheeler, Aaron Smith and a rising star from the Junior categories Kenzie Bennett. Wil Bristowe narrowly missed out on qualifying for the last place in this final after some unfortunate luck in his qualifications. A big achievement in qualifying for the Final itself saw Bennett ride to 14 points just a point behind 3rd place. Unfortunately for Smith an exclusion cost him his place on the podium after some great rides, he finished on 10 points. Wheeler also missed out on a podium placement by one point tying with Bennett on 14 points, proving how close the competition was.
Bennett also shined alongside his teammates Oliver Saunders and Feroze Langoo in the Junior Final. After a run-off for the last podium place it wasn’t meant to be for Bennett after pulling the outside grid position. Saunders and Langoo completed the competition strong finishing on 12 and 14 points respectively. Later on, Bennett and Saunders went on to qualify for the under 16 Final with Teddy Curtis also joining them both. Curtis finished 5th in the under 14 competition the day prior so was ready and fuelled for more racing. Despite the bad conditions in the under 16 Final the boys went on to fly the Comets name high with Curtis and Saunders finishing on 6 and 8 points and Bennett on 13 after an exclusion.
A few weeks ago the Little League Championships were held in Kesgrave, Suffolk. A British Championship event for those in age categories under 8 and under 10.
Another title retention came again for a Comet, Tallulah Curtis. Retaining her under 10 Girls title from 2022 after some great passes and racing, being pushed all the way to the line.
Both Olivia Reeman and Ezmae Laing entered the under 8 Girls competition for their first taste of a Championship weekend. Reeman finished in fine style picking up 2nd place overall on 14 points with Laing completing the meeting on 7 points riding her heart out to the finish line. In the under 8 Boys event our troop of Adam Palka, Oscar Bartlett and Izacc Laing proved they were top draw riders and all battled it out between them. Laing finished on 13 points placing him into 4th place overall with Palka scoring 11 and Bartlett scoring 10. A brilliant effort from all three. Finishing off the day proudly, the 6 young Comets contested in the team event to which they ultimately finished in 3rd position, flying the club colours high.
Congratulations to all of the Poole Comets riders for their efforts over the biggest weekend in the Cycle Speedway Calendar.
Want to get involved? Pop down on a Tuesday night from 5:30pm to give it a go! Bikes, helmets and gloves can be provided, we just ask you wear long sleeves, long trousers and suitable footwear. For more information visit poolecyclespeedway on Instagram.
