Lucy Garner, a double World Junior Road Race Champion swopped pedal power for horsepower yesterday.
The Leicestershire born cyclist was taking part in a Midlands Cyclo-cross Championship event at Beaumont Park yesterday and afterwards Lucy had her first ride on a speedway bike. “Whilst I was competing in the cycling event I could hear the noise of bikes and afterwards I went to have a look to see what was going on in the speedway stadium. I was amazed at the skill of the riders and the speed of the bikes. I first met David Hemsley the Leicester Speedway Promoter several years ago when he taught me how to ride a cycle speedway bike and he organised everything for me to have a few laps of the speedway track today. It was great fun and I fully intend to take in a speedway meeting at Leicester next year to cheer on the Lions” commented Garner.
Also watching the open practice day was Lauren Davies the British Under-16 Individual Champion who rides for the Leicester Monarchs Cycle Speedway club. She too gained an insight into how to ride a speedway bike.
“Speedway is predominantly a male orientated sport but it is my belief that we should encourage more girls to take part and for them to aspire to a level whereby they have their own organised competitions in British Speedway. We have seen this happen in cycle speedway and through British Cycling championing the initiative nowadays there are team and individual events for girls of all ages to enter” added Leicester’s Speedway Promoter, David Hemsley.
