CLUB NEWS: Cycle day success for Birmingham
Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway club took part in the Sutton Community Games over the 2 day weekend event.
Birmingham member, Steve Hodgkinson said: “Around 300 youngsters, and some parents, took part on the temporary track and visited our stand for information on the sport. Quite a few quickly got to grips with a bike that has no brakes or gears!
“With many sports on offer to try we had queues all day on both days with several youngsters coming back repeated times.
Birmingham’s stall at the Sutton Community Games.
“A lot of parents and children took information about trying the sport and cycling so it’s possible we may have an influx of next generation riders!”
The weekend also saw team and individual racing for Birmingham riders.
On Saturday it was double victory for Monarch riders in Eurovets series, round 6 in Newport Wales. Mark Winwood won the Over 40’s A final whilst Paul Timms won the Over 50’s A final, both top scoring in their qualifying groups.
Paul Timms (left) and Mark Winwood (right)
Sunday saw a Birmingham select side travel to Wednesfield for an EL challenge fixture, the Monarchs using 3 East Park riders to bolster their strength.
Despite taking an early lead in heat 2, a maximum from Johnson and Draisey, it was cancelled out when the Aces took a maximum of their own in heat 3.
That was to be the only Monarch heat advantage of the day as the Aces asserted their dominance throughout the match.
The Monarchs top 3 ensured none of the home side went unbeaten, with Johnson top scoring on 16, whilst Chris Timms took three wins. The match concluded Wednesfield Aces 104 – 76 Birmingham Monarchs.
Birmingham scores: Ricki Johnson 16+1, Chris Timms 15, Scott Millward 13, Luke Draisey 10+1, Jamie Whetton 8, Jake White 7, Mark Winwood 5+1, Phil Widdas 2.
This Sunday, the Monarchs travel again to the Ashmore Park circuit to face the Wednesfield Dragons in Midland League Division one action, start time 2PM.
Five of the junior Monarchs are racing at Coventry’s Hearsall Common on Friday in the Junior classic and BBQ, start time 7.30PM.
The Monarchs’ popular training sessions take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6-8PM, all abilities welcome with bikes provided.