|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 ICSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 - AT EDENTON, NORTH CAROLINA USA - posted 19 April 2011 With the the World championship in America about you begin, the International Cycle Speeway Federation has published a comprehensive list of competitors as follows:- England Ireland Poland Scotland USA
Suffolk-based referee Steve Copping has got an extra special reason to look forward to his upcoming trip to America at the weekend for the World championships at Edenton. In addition to his racing commitments, including the World senior individual championship and World pairs, he has received at least four refereeing nominations for events during the course of the championships. His first scheduled appointment is the World junior individual qualifying round on Tuesday 19 April. He is then scheduled to take charge of the second World senior individual semi-final on Saturday 23 April but that may have to change as Steve explains: Irrespective of what happens with the senior semi-finals, Steve will definitely be refereeing two World finals - the first of his career. The first of those finals will be the veterans World individual final which takes place after the senior semi-finals. Steve is going to be in for a busy day on that Saturday because as soon as the World veterans final is finished, he will have to change out of his referees gear into his racing gear and don his Ireland shirt for the World pairs championship where he teams up with his brother. His final scheduled refereeing appointment will be the biggest moment of his refereeing career as he has been allocated the World junior It has to be the pinnacle of a rider's career to qualify for a World final and I certainly would like to think the same applies to a referee who has been nominated to referee a World final said Steve. I am absolutely delighted to have been nominated for the veterans and the junior World finals and I just hope I can put in a performance which will justify these nominations. Cycle speedway most travelled competitor and former World number one Steve Harris is calling on his experience to help out fellow competitors journeying to the 2011 Worlds in America. Steve offers this advice. I believe everyone going to the USA has 23kg bike bag allowance. Last week when I flew to Poland I carried out a test on my bike bag allowance. I few Wizzair and after paying the additional sporting equipment baggage fee, you can take upto 32kg, so I loaded up my bike bag with just about everything to see how much it weighed. International secretary Dave Murphy has today confirmed the number of provisional entries of the fast-approaching World individual championships in the USA. The open has attracted 36 entries, junior 20, veteran 14 and ladies 6. It is hoped the numbers will be swelled by more entries from the host nation. "I will soon be sending out clarification on the qualifying process for World individual competitions, as it has been necessary to tailor these to meet the lower number of entries than normal" Murphy told Spokesman. ICSF Coordinator Dave Murphy has revealed that the USA has named its leading riders for the upcoming World Championships at Edenton next month. Two established names are Chad White and Cody Eaves (who have previously raced in Europe) and they are joined by Roger Brickhouse as key USA contenders. White and Eaves have proved to be popular and competitive in the past, while Chad (younger brother of Edenton supremo Brian White) is expected to be a much stronger athlete, having returned to the sport after serving in the US Armed Forces. The Americans have also named Edenton juniors Shiloh Basnight and Tyler Smith in their squad, while attempts to recruit BMX racers to bolster team strength could become a reality over the coming days. Murphy indicated to Spokesman that "I understand that talks are underway between Brian White and the Hampton BMX club with a view to some of their riders crossing-over to cycle speedway to represent the USA. This is an exciting prospect" he added. It is understood that representatives from Portland (where the 'Holeshot' version of the sport has become popular) have also been talking with Brian White and, although on-track rider participation is unlikely, it is hoped that a representative from Portland may be able to attend the championships at Edenton. This news, as Murphy concluded, is "Another exciting development which demonstrates how such an event is capable of generating interest that could still see cycle speedway progress in a number of regions, across the USA, during the near future". Brian White hopes to name additional 'local representation' for both the Ladies and Veterans World Championships over the next few days while the ICSF is looking to assist Edenton in scheduling some additional non-World Championships events for several local under-14 racers in North Carolina. Such events will also involve the youngest overseas visitors and female racers from Europe. The Polish Cycle Speedway Federation has announced its squad for the 2011 World championship in the United States. As expected, the Poles have selected a strong squad but there is one notable omission - Marcin Szymanski. Their party will include two junior riders who will compete in the Junior World Pairs, but like the Australians, the Poles will not contest the Junior world Cup. The Polish squad is Marcin Paradzinski, Lukasz Nowacki, Rafal Dulinski, Przemek Binkowski, Pawel Cegielski, Tomasz Wlodarczyk, Daniel Ordon backed up by juniors Patryk Piechota and Pawel Rajczyk. The official Polish Federation representative accompanying the squad will be Krzysztof Niedzielski. Announcing the line-ups in a special ICSF press release, international coordinator Dave Murphy said "It should be stated that there is still time for additional riders to potentially join their tour party, but this would be surprise at such a late stage." The Polish squad, with exception of star rider Lukasz Nowacki, will be arriving in Edenton five days before the British tour party, with the Edenton supremo Brian White has announced a lucrative tie up with a local news station. Radio Cafe Hertford 103 will feature various events during the week online at www.rch.103.com. They have also agreed to cover the World Senior Individual Final on Monday 25th April which will also be broadcast online later in the day. Since returning to the UK, after his winter break in South Australia, Pete Barnes is now engaged in his 'advisory role' as part of the Edenton organising group as they finalise plans for the 2011 World Championships in the USA. ICSF secretary Dave Murphy told spokesman-online "Recent transatlantic calls between Pete and Brian White have seen Pete using his vast experience to coordinate activity on the finer detail in respect to presentation and track preparation." Following the calls, Pete has confirmed that Edenton will provide a marquee within the pits area to provide riders with shade from the sun (or shelter from the rain if need be) while a second marquee will be installed as a hospitality area for sponsors. They also plan to refurbish the centre of the track with material that will add a splash of colour *USA style) rather than the traditional grassed area. It was also revealed that Edenton are close to tying up a deal with a local sponsor (a vehicle hire company) to provide discounted transport for overseas riders during the championship week. Murphy added that he is now waiting for the final list of USA riders (expected this week) in order to finalise the qualification rounds and provide Edenton with the final version of the race schedule. He said "A schedule was agreed some weeks ago but, with some riders withdrawing and other names being added, the qualification stages have been difficult to finalise for fear of creating meaningless qualification rounds with hardly anyone being eliminated." In concluding he said that "The possible reduction in qualification rounds may be an added bonus as it will create the potential to add more supporting events to ensure that all overseas riders get adequate racing throughout the week - especially those who are eliminated in the early stages."
Coca-Cola has been a longtime supporter of the Edenton track, dating back to 2002, when the company first joined forces to support the bicycle track. This latest sponsorship will help support the 2011 championship events in America. Those who plan to attend the World Championship races in Edenton will have their choice of select Coca-Cola products at its raceway concession stand. Dave Murphy, from the International Cycle Speedway Federation, embraced the news by offering congratulations to the Edenton club. We now have a global brand supporting a World embracing event and the World Cycle Speedway Championships will be proudly associated with one of the biggest brand names on the planet, said Murphy. The World Championship events will begin on Sunday, April 17th and continue through Monday, April 25th. World champion Daniel Pudney, of Adelaide Australia, will travel to Edenton and defend his crown against the Worlds best including Polands European champion Marcin Paradzinski and multi-British champion Lee Aris from England. Coca-Cola employs more than 92,800 people in over 200 countries where its products are served. For more information on Coca-Cola, visit www.coca-cola.com. For more information on Edenton Cycle Speedway, visit www.uscyclespeedway.com or call 252.312.9220. Visitors to the World Championships 2011 at Edenton who need to make accommodation reservations at the Hampton Inn, which is the official event motel, are reminded to contact Pete Barnes as soon as possible at this email address BARNES TAKES UP KEY ROLE - posted 11 February 2011
Pete was offered this position after discussions with Edenton officials last year and he will bring a wealth of organisational experience to the the team that Brian White has pulled together. His key role will be to act as a point of contact for liaison between Edenton club and all overseas riders and officials (Australian, British and Polish) during the days leading up the the event and particularly during the period April 17th-25th April when in North Carolina.
Meanwhile, Edenton club official John Turner has confirmed (to the ICSF), that they will use knowledge and material gained from the 2007 World Championships at Poole to assist them in promotional activities and creation of programmes and scorecards etc. One of America's biggest cycling magazines has called on spokesman-online to assist them in covering this year's World championships in North Carolina. David Boerner of the Bicycle Times magazine in the US has asked for our help in making contact with organisers of the 2011 Worlds. We have put Bicycle Times in touch with principal organiser Brian White and soon hope to read more about the championships in America's foremost cycling magazine. Is this the end of World Cup competition for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales? ICSF coordinator Dave Murphy has confirmed that, as the 2011 World Cup Finals approach, the British Isles will only be represented by England and Scotland. He reflected that "The biggest disappointment has to be the lack of representation from all Home Nations" this following the confirmation that Wales will be missing their first World Cup in 28 years, while Ireland will only be represented in the World Pairs. Meanwhile, Scotland team manager Gavin Kennedy must be applauded for providing a team, but "I'm sure even Gavin would agree that it's well short of the riding strength potentially at his disposal" added Murphy. Recent World Cup events have seen a similar picture, although it should be acknowledged that Wales have potential to threaten the 'Big Three' of Australia, England and Poland. However, as Wales most capped rider, Murphy points out, "The Wales threat can only be achieved if they are at the races!". He added "As a former manager, I do have great sympathy for Ian Sizer and Gary Colby who would have been keen to send teams. But overseas racing costs money and clearly the current climate means that riders do not have such funds at their disposal." One discussion point which may find its way onto the table in future ICSF (and potentially BCF) meetings could be whether British Cycling should only provide a Great Britain team for future World Cup events, in line with many other cycling disciplines. After all, it is the British Federation and a it's well known that funding and support is less complicated to provide for British teams. Therefore top Irish, Scottish and Welsh riders could benefit from being part of a GB setup with a potential to receive much needed BCF aid and be part of a Great Britain World Cup winning team in future. "I would be very disappointed to see the Home Nations disappear from the World stage, even if they remained for Home Internationals and European Cup events" commented Murphy. "I've enjoyed wonderful experiences on the World stage and it would be sad to see the same denied to the current Ireland, Scotland and Wales squads......but the fact of the matter is that they need to be competing at these events to ensure their involvement continue." ICSF coordinator Dave Murphy has been in frequent contact with the Edenton organisers for the 2011 World Championship and has revealed to spokesman-online that the event is close to securing and announcing a major sponsorship that will raise eyebrows and may have many top riders wishing that they had targeted these championships. Murphy will not be drawn on offering any clues, other than to say the potential sponsorship has reached stage where, if secured, will be wrapped up and announced via a new Edenton Cycle Speedway website when its launched during February. He would only say "This is a global brand and feedback from Edenton supremo Brian White, during recent trans-Atlantic calls, has indicated that they are close to a deal". The 2005 World Veterans champion added "If any potential World title challenger is in two minds, then now is the time to reconsider as this sponsorship, plus recent media attention in the US surrounding the indoor racing that has emerged from Portland, will raise focus on this event". Dave has previously been frustrated about much of the negativity surrounding the 2011 Worlds and he added "This negativity has centred around the fact that Edenton is a small town and their brand of cycle speedway racing is geared to mimic US style speedway in cars, rather than the European speedway on two wheels". He concluded by acknowledging "The Edenton circuit is not up to the high standards of previous World Final tracks in Europe and Australia, so riders will have to adapt, but I'm confident that the organisation and presentation of the event will go a long way to overcoming this". "We need to keep in mind that the venue was selected as a potential launchpad for the sport in the States, so as the saying goes - Nothing ventured, Nothing gained!". Edenton Cycle Speedway USA is preparing to host the 2011 Cycle Speedway World Championship races April 17th - 25th. Bicycle racing stars from Cycle Speedway nations across the World will travel to the Edenton area to participate in this elite international bicycle racing competition - the first of its kind in America. Expected participants include riders representing Australia, England, Ireland, Poland, Scotland and Wales in addition to the home based American riders. This will be a major event for the Edenton Cycle Speedway, says Dave Murphy, International Cycle Speedway Federation Coordinator. Riders from all over the world will gather in Edenton to claim the world top honours, the first time for America. The United States was selected to host these 2011 World Championships during a 2007 International Cycle Speedway Federation meeting held in England. World Championship races are held every other year and are staged at various venues in selected countries. Current World champions Australia first entered the international cycling scene in the 1980s and Poland followed in the 1990s. America has since emerged in the 2000s. Over 100 transatlantic guests will visit the Edenton track during the week long competitions, in which most will compete. The worlds best cycle speedway riders will be among those visiting America, which will surely produce some of the best racing, of this category, in the World. The International Committees decision to choose the Edenton Cycle Speedway to host its races says a lot about our area, said John Turner, Senior Vice-President of Edenton Cycle Speedway. The on-track excitement will begin on Sunday, April 17th and continue through Monday, April 25th. Various world championship titles are up for grabs including: World Veterans Individual (over 40 age category) Most exciting is the news that reigning World Champion Daniel Pudney, from Adelaide Australia, has decided to travel to Edenton and defend his crown against the Worlds best including Polands European champion Marcin Paradzinski and multi-British champion Lee Aris from England. The official race schedule will be released in the coming weeks. The Edenton Cycle Speedway track location is at Atlantic Forest Drive, Edenton, North Carolina, USA (located adjacent to the Northeastern Regional Airport). Cycle Speedway racing dates back to the 1940s in England during the post world war. Over 60 years later, the sport has grown to include racers from all over the world. For more information concerning the 2011 World Championships, please contact the raceway office at 252.312.9220.
The Edenton club is currently in the process of agreeing some additional events, with the ICSF and British Cycling. These are likely to include a Test Match between USA juniors and Great Britain Ladies plus the previously suggested GB v Rest of World Test Match. The GB ladies match is likely to be staged at a new circuit, being prepared in nearby 'Gates County', as part of promotional activity that British cycling are willing to support as part of activity to assist the potential development of cycle speedway in the region. Australia will provide some strong competition for the World Veterans Championship with the news that former Poole star Brad Hoppo has entered the event along with ex-Swindon star Paul White, who is now based in Adelaide. Another Aussie veteran lining up at Edenton will be Rob Fleming, who is co-manager of Team Australia with White. LATE ENTRIES STILL INVITED - posted 1 February 2011 Although the entry date for the World championships has been and gone, further applications from riders are still being welcomed at British Cycling headquarters. "Please could you communicate, via Spokesman-online, that the BCF will continue to accept entries on a first come, first served basis until we hit a cut-off point" said ICSF official Dave Murphy. Some two dozen UK riders will contest the World individual championships in the United States in April. The confirmed list of entries is: Women BC APPEAL TO WOMEN - posted 20 January 2011 British Cycling has appealed its female members to support the rapidly approaching World championship in the United States. The appeal was amde in a circular to all clubs. "Word has it that there will not be a Womens World Championship. It is rumoured that there is little support for this event from the Americans and Australians. However there is a good level of interest from the UK girls. Eight riders should be good enough to give an event of World Championship status so its still worth considering travelling for this championship. The younger Ladies can also enter the junior event and the older ones the Open and Veterans. If there are insufficient entries for a World Championship the Ladies will still get a ride in their own non-championship competition." Entries should be sent to Paul West at British Cycling headquarters by 27 January. A £25 deposit is required which is fully refundable provided riders arrive at the championship start line. It has been confirmed that five Torun riders will be travelling to the USA for the 2011 World championships. Sources close to the club advise that Rafal Dulinski, Marcin Paradzinski, Przemek Binkowski, Lukasz Nowacki and Pawel Cegielski will all make the trip. Anyone travelling to the USA for the cycle speedway World Championships are reminded that they will require an entry visa . This needs to be applied for electronically by each individual. The details are on the bottom of the booking confirmation supplied by Worldspan Travel. The web address for visa application is, One Australia's best kept secrets has been revealed. After weeks of speculation suggesting that he will not defend his World title, Daniel Pudney has been included in the Aussies' squad for the World Cup in Edenton, USA. Initial reports coming out of Australia suggested that Pudney was not riding regularly but 'Puds' is now training hard with the intention to retain the title his won in 2009 and pick his third championship crown. Other names that have now been released include Cameron Crisp and Ryan Edson to complete a strong looking Aussie World Cup squad managed by Paul White and Rob Fleming. Earlier today British Cycling issued the following statement from the ICSF regarding the 2011 World championships in the United States. Edenton cycle speedway supremo, Brian White, has spoken to ICSF secretary Dave Murphy about plans for the World Championships in North Carolina this coming Easter. The ICSF and Edenton are planning a formal press release in the coming days I can take this opportunity to answer a few fFrequently asked questions' for the benefit of website readers as follows: 1. The Edenton track has concrete starting grid and an upright starting gate is currently under construction in readiness for the championships. The inside boundary of the track is concrete while the outside line will be defined by an elevated grass boundary with a clear white line. There will be a solid safety fence around the whole circuit, set back from boundary to meet international regulations. 2. Significant spectator seating will be available, with a seating construction being relocated from the larger US-style track to the international track. (Dave Murphy has asked Edenton to provide photos and details of track dimensions which he will publish in the near future). 3. Mobile track-side catering is being arranged to ensure that all riders and spectators are able to access food and beverage during each day of racing. 4. The USA will be represented by at least 15 riders at the championships, but these will mostly be juniors. Edenton's best three riders are within the 15-17 age category with most being under-14 so, with this in mind, the ICSF will consider staging an U15's event during the championships - although it should be stressed that this will not be an official world title. 5. Unfortunately the Ladies racing scene has collapsed at Edenton, with all previous female competitors having retired. There has also been a void in entries from Australia and GB, so the Women's World championship looks in doubt unless interest picks up significantly. 6. The Edenton club are looking to potentially recruit some experienced BMX racers from the region (eg such as from Elizabeth City), to provide senior representation Promotion Day Edenton would also like to utilise a 'rest day' to take some overseas riders to compete in Gates County (which is the next county from Edenton) where the local community are looking to build a cycle speedway track. Racing will be on a clay surface, cut out on a local parkland, with promotion of the sport being the prime objective. Sponsorship Edenton cycle speedway has already signed and sealed a number of local sponsorships to fund the event, with additional revenue to be generated from provision of souvenir t-shirts and baseball caps. Also, via their contacts, the Edenton club are currently in negotiation will a well known 'global brand' to try and capture sponsorship that, although not financially significant, could provide the Championships with a great boost and increased credibility. Watch this space for any developments. Travel and Accommodation British based riders should be reminded that the BCF has nominated Ian Brown and Bob Prince as Tour Directors and riders should contact them to discuss travel and Pete Barnes is coordinating flight arrangements via Worldspan Travel (as publicised in Spokesman) and he is also working with Brian White to coordinate hotels and
Lee confirmed his commitment after approaching his employers, LINAK UK, and asked for the time off to go to the States. Not only did they give him the time off but they also gave him a added bonus when they said they would help him out with a £1000 worth of sponsorship money. Lee is now looking forward to challenging for that elusive World title that has escaped for so long to add to the many titles that he has already won in his cycle speedway career and, also if picked, to once again ride and captain his country.
I have resisted the opportunity to enter this debate - until now. Ian Brown and myself, in our roles as joint England team managers, welcomedthe highly successful Young England v Young Wales series early this year in an attempt to provide valuable international racing experience for our top juniors prior to the World Championship event at Edenton in 2011. Whilst I fully appreciate the present economic climate, the present interest,at both levels, is more than disappointing. I will leave you all with this parting "shot" - do we really need to give the "old enemy" Down Under the opportunity to retain both the Senior and Junior World Team Cup trophies." ICSF secretary Dave Murphy has received promising news from the Wales camp today, in relation to the 2011 World Championships in Edenton. Wales manager Ian Sizer has contacted Dave and advised the ICSF that he is actively working on providing Welsh representation for the event. Ian has targeted four or five riders, who have shown some interest, and he is working on some 'funding opportunities' to assist them. The Wales camp hope to make more concrete announcements in early January.
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
