NEWS: Three more sign as Coventry complete squad

With the 2016 Elite league Cycle Speedway season just a month away, Coventry have signed three more riders to complete their squad for their return to top tier racing.

Team manager Lee Marsh this week closed in on three new signings, adding Polish internationals Prezemek Binkowski and Pawel Idziorek, together with British veteran champion Gavin Parr from Newcastle.

Now into his thirties, the robust Binkowski rejoins Coventry after a ten-year gap. From Torun, in Poland, Binkowski was a member of the Coventry title winning team of 2006, which earned the club a Civic Reception.

Minkowski riding for Poland in 2015

Binkowski riding for Poland in 2015

Binkowski, who is in the Polish Army, is one of the toughest riders in the sport. He has a daunting physical presence and is a renown team rider, who often is happy to tactically race for his team, rather than for individual glory.

However, when in individual racing, Binkowski has shown his credentials, including a podium finish in the 2014 European Individual Final on his home Torun track. He has also appeared in several World Finals and is one of the very top Polish riders of his generation.

Due to his Polish Army career and appearances in the Polish League for his home team club, Binkowski role is likely to be a squad member for Coventry and his appearances are set to be limited. He has retained close personal friendships in Coventry since his past association with the club.

Pawel Idziorek

Pawel Idziorek

Idziorek however is set to be one of the mainstays of the new Coventry Elite League team. Domiciled in Leeds, Yorkshire, the quick starting Pole has been in the UK for over five years and he has a proven track record in Northern League racing.

He has made frequent appearances for Sheffield in the Elite League for several seasons, occupying a heat leader role. His neat compact style and all-round ability has made him a free scoring rider on all tracks and is sure to feel at home at Coventry with its strong links with Polish Cycle Speedway.

Coventry`s third signing of the week, and the one that completes their Elite League squad, is British Vets champion and, World Vets number two, the super fit Parr.

Parr returned to Cycle Speedway after a two decades gap four years ago with the revived Northumbria club on the outskirts of Newcastle. He quickly regained his previous best form and enjoyed his most successful ever season in 2015.

Gavin Parr

Gavin Parr leads Mark Winwood.

Parr said: “I have immensely enjoyed my time in the sport since my return four years ago. My results just keep on getting better. I want to continue to race at the very top for as long as I can and I cannot thank Coventry enough for including me in their Elite League plans for 2016”.

Having completed his Elite League signings, team boss Marsh said: “With our own existing Elite league standard riders, we have brought fantastic talent to the club with all our new winter signings. We welcome each and every one of them to Coventry.

“We will also be very keen to give all our home grown youngsters a chance. Local teenagers like Dan Drewett, Kyle Roberts and Mason Phillips will be uppermost in my thinking from the off, whilst I am sure Ollie Morris, Matt Hambridge, Spencer Sawbridge and Josh Marsh will also get their chance as the season unfolds”.

Coventry warm-up for their hectic 2016 Midland League and Elite League campaign by hosting Norwich at Hearsall Common on Sunday 6th March in a challenge match, starting at 2pm. Coventry will then go to Norwich on Sunday March 13th.

Meanwhile, Coventry riders will take part in a full scale training session at the Brandon track, in Bretford Playing Fields, tomorrow (Sunday 28th February), from 2pm. All their registered riders, including juniors, are welcome to attend.

Newcomers to the sport wanting their first taste of action of this extreme cycle racing sport are also welcome to attend. Bikes will be available free of charge to beginners, along with coaching from Great Britain star Myke Grimes.

For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway club, please go to: www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk


This articles ends a hectic promotional campaign by Coventry, not so much aimed at the readers of 33/18 News, but specifically aimed at the local press, which has seen full page coverage in local papers.