NEWS: Smith upbeat despite setbacks

East London supremo Kevin Smith is still upbeat as the 2014 season races into action – despite setbacks to his Canning Town based club and to himself personally.

The East Londoners are now down to 8 registered riders for the 2014 campaign and the rider shortage in the capital city has raised question marks as to whether the Londoners can see out the season after years of struggle.

They have also lost star performer and talisman Denis Hubble, the reigning British Over 50s vets champion, to retirement casting another dark cloud over Canning Town.

Smith, one of the most popular riders on the TLI Cycling Eurovets circuit, and who doubles as East London secretary, has himself struggled in the past six months. He suffered a family bereavement and has recently endured a heart scare.

He`s currently undergoing heart tests which came to light after tearing ankle ligaments. Undeterred, the East End speedster is still hoping to make a racing return shortly. He`s not ruled out an appearance at Horspath for the opening TLI Eurovets round on Saturday 26th April.

Despite all this, Smith remains his bubbly cockney self, confidant that East London can weather their latest setbacks. He said: “Its not been a good time recently for me and of course my club could ill afford to lose Denis, who has given us such splendid and devoted service these last few years”.

He continued: “But we ride on and I would appeal to any former riders in the South East who wants to return to the sport at one of its most convivial clubs to get in touch with us”.