CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Shale track riders set to start 2013 warm-up (From Bury Times)

CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Shale track riders set to start 2013 warm-up

8:00am Thursday 31st January 2013 in Sport By Bury Times Sports Reporter

THE forthcoming Cycle Speedway season begins to take shape on Sunday as Bury Comets’ first practice session takes place at the Goshen Sports Centre.

The club are looking for a full turnout to test bikes, set ups and muscles in the session, which starts at noon.

Given the recent inclement weather there will be some sore muscles at the end of the day. All sections of the club will be in attendance, from the youngsters like Adam Turnbull and Thomas Whitwam, to the next generation, Will Owen, James Elston, Ryan Livesey, Joe Allan, while established seniors will be out to hold onto their places.

There will be a welcome back for Polish star and former European champion Damian Zaremba, with Ben Dickenson and Kristian Ramsden also making returns. World champion Laura Watson is the club’s only female rider at the moment, but hopes are high that more will join as the season progresses. The veteran ranks will be added to by the return of long-time Bury rider Fred Rothwell, who should be able to show the youngsters the fastest way round as he has been competing in Cyclo-cross over the border in Yorkshire.

Qualified British Cycling coaches will be on hand and, while these early sessions will be for Bury riders only, there will be several come-and-try events during the course of the year.

After several successful years, the club has lost its main sponsor Pedalsport, so are now on the lookout for a new backer. The club is self-financing and all funds are generated by the members, so if anyone wishes to become involved in a fast, furious, all-action sport, they should get in touch. Plans to improve the club building and track are also underway and should be completed before the season starts.

The club have also submitted an application for a grant to help towards new showers and toilets and they are hopeful that changing rooms can be attached to the existing cabins. They will also be looking to install floodlights.

Further information is available at www.burycyclespeedway.com