Leicester’s two mascots Dan and Joe Thompson will be bidding for the title of European 125cc Speedway Champion on Saturday.
The Thompson family are setting off from their home in Atherstone today to undertake a long road journey to the Czech Republic where Dan and Joe will be competing for the very first time in the European 125cc Youth Track Racing Cup competition at Divišov. The venue, which is south of Prague is owned by Jawa who manufacture speedway bikes and was the venue for a Grand Prix semi-final qualifying meeting four years ago.
“It’s a long journey to Divišov and to get there we will be travelling through France, Germany and then into the Czech Republic which is something like 970 miles. The work really starts on arrival as there is a practice on the day of the event before the actual meeting. Most parents have just one child to support but of course our time is doubled so my wife Jenny also fulfils a role as a mechanic and cleans the chains and oil filters among other things so it is really a family effort to make sure that Dan and Joe’s bikes are race ready for each heat” explained the twins Father, Darren.
The boys will be competing against some of the top junior riders throughout Europe in the Czech Republic and enter the competition on the back of success in the British 125cc Championship at Berwick last month where Dan won the title ahead of his twelve year old twin Joe who finished second.
“Dan and Joe see this event as an opportunity to gain experience of racing on circuits outside of the UK and to test themselves against different riders than those they meet regularly in this country. Some of the competitors will be four years older than my boys but they do not see that as a disadvantage” added Darren.
