Ipswich Witches No.1 Danny King tells us about his track return, thoughts on the fixture list and looking forward to the British Final.
Well, I’m back on a bike.
OK, so my first meeting since my injury, at Belle Vue for Leicester, on Bank Holiday Monday, didn’t go much according to plan.
It was a struggle I don’t mind admitting.
I got two points, Leicester got thrashed and to say I felt rusty is an understatement.
Belle Vue is a big, fast track and apart from anything else, neither I nor my Leicester team-mates really ever got the set-up right. We were well beaten.
But it didn’t enter my head not to race in the return leg a few hours later back at Leicester.
I just told myself to knuckle down, take a deep breath and get on with it.
Yes, my arm was aching, of course it was. But I think it is only going to get stronger the more I use it and race.
Back at Leicester later on Monday things were much better.
I got eight points and it should have been at least one more.
I was leading Max Fricke and Dan Bewley when the pair got in a pickle and Fricke wiped out his team-mate.
It was rightly stopped and although Fricke was excluded, Bewley wasn’t – and he got the gate on me in the re-run.
So, there were plenty of positives from my return and I’m looking forward to getting going now.
By the time you read this I am either about, to or have ridden at, Poole on Wednesday.
That’s three meetings in three days on my return, but at least after that I have a week off before the Witches entertain Sheffield next Thursday.
I’m starting to feel sorry for many of you Witches fans.
The lack of meetings this season is nothing the sport should be proud of.
Did you know by the time I ride for the Witches against Sheffield, I will have been out five weeks and not missed a single home team meeting!
It’s a shame about the Berwick meeting being called off the other week, but the lack of fixtures, especially if you get knocked out of the Shield and Cup is frightening.
In the Championship, can I suggest we go back to two home and away league fixtures, no Shield competition and a KO Cup competition next year.
Indeed, if I wasn’t doubling-up for Leicester and Ipswich, I don’t quite know how I could make ends meet.
There are some riders in that boat who only ride for one club. That’s tough.
I remember a few years ago people proposing teams rode home and away on alternate weeks. I never liked that idea either. What would happen if you had a rain-off? Just one meeting at home every month!
In June the Witches only have three meetings. One away and two at home. I don’t think I can remember a fixture list quite like it.
At least there are plenty coming up throughout the summer holidays at Foxhall, let’s hope the weather if good then too.
MORE: Race for Championship play-offs is set to be tight says Witches boss
Cameron Heeps seems to having a tough time doubling-up at Wolverhampton.
I’m not sure why, he is such a good rider.
I can only sense he is putting too much pressure on himself.
He really needs to relax more and enjoy his racing. I know it’s easy to say, but I’ve been there and you can’t go to the tapes all worried about how you are going to do.
Trust yourself, relax and race. He has had some good meetings for the Witches so far this season, so here’s hoping his season is about to really take off.
The British Final, at Belle Vue, is just under two weeks away.
I would love to win the title again, but I will have to do better than I did at Belle Vue on Monday.
But I have got a bit more time to rest up. It’s a slow process, but I’m getting there. And who knows? Maybe another title in the King household – that would be nice.
Casey has got chicken pox!
He’s only two but as any parent will tell you, what a nightmare!
It’s only just happened, right at the start of half-term as well.
Still, we’ll look after him and I’m sure he will soon be back up and running soon.
So, no speedway at Foxhall tonight. But look forward to seeing you next Thursday.
Hopefully Casey’s chicken pox will be almost gone by then!
DANNY
AS TOLD TO MIKE BACON
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here