CYCLE SPEEDWAY: STAR Coventry Sabres heat leader Myke Grimes admits he’s feeling ‘quicker than ever’ ahead of the 2017 British Cycle Speedway Finals.
The annual championships, which is being held in the midlands this year, brings together some of the country’s fastest racers from as far north as Scotland and south as Devon.
Grimes could claim to be one of the unluckiest riders in the championships history when he was seconds from becoming national champion last year in Exeter.
The 32-year-old required Wednesfield’s Ben Mould to finish 3rd or 4th in his final ride to win the championship.
Incredibly, Mould, who was fourth for three and three-quarter laps, took full advantage of a last bend pile up to win the championship on the run to the line – leaving a heartbroken Grimes speechless.
“There were mixed emotions,” said Grimes.
“I was happy to have nearly won after many years of hard work.
“On the other hand it was agonising to see it all unravel in seconds, completely out of my control.”
But 12 months on the Potters Green racer is back.
And he’s hoping to take full advantage of the local staging of the event this year.
He said: “The obvious answer for me after last year was to draw a line and come back stronger, which I’ve definitely done. I just need that little bit of luck on the day.
“Being British Champion is always the aim. I know I can do it – I proved that last year when I came so close.
“I’m feeling quicker than ever and excited to stake my claim.
“It’s a bonus being able to get in my own bed at night instead of hotel rooms and being able to chill out properly.”
The British No.2 trains multiple times a week at Coventry’s Hearsall Common track and leads a busy lifestyle – combining work with racing and spending time at home with his family.
Following time out of the sport to complete his studies at university, Grimes rediscovered his love for cycle speedway when the Coventry club reformed in 2011.
Since then he’s raced in four British Finals, several Ashes test matches, and reached the semi-finals of the world championships.
“I’m lucky enough to have expert guidance outside the sport from various areas including conditioning, coaching and my equipment,” said Grimes.
“Former world champion Steve Harris has offered me advice too and pushes me hard on track every week.”
Grimes will have to complete the qualifying round process before Monday’s Grand Final at Wednesfield though, and he’s hoping to have some Coventry competition alongside him.
He said: “My training partners Sam Hardie, Matt Lawrence and Dan Drewett are all in the open draw. They’ve been working really hard so I’m hoping one of them can pull off a final appearance.
“Ben Wells has been turning up to our training sessions too and if he believes in himself he could be in with a shout of the U14s title.
“We have many riders competing wearing the Coventry XL Motors Sabres colours. I’d like to wish them all the best of luck.”
This week’s championships takes place on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Birmingham and East Park before Finals Day on Bank Holiday Monday at Wednesfield.
The Men’s Final starts at 4pm with the Women’s and Junior events taking place before.
