COVENTRY cycle speedway rider Myke Grimes said he was pleased to finish in the top ten at last weekend’s European Championship after scoring 11 points in Sunday’s Grand Final.
Grimes qualified for the final with a pair of near faultless performances in Southampton at the quarter final and semi final stages prior to Sunday’s final at Poole, which attracted a large crowd with fans travelling from across Europe to witness the action.
The 31-year-old made a steady start to the final with a third place finish in his opening ride, behind eventual champion Lukas Nowacki and Polish international Greg Gluchowski.
Grimes’ hopes of a victory were dashed after a fall in his second ride, though the Potters Green based racer failed to accept defeat as a second third place finish was followed by a stunning heat victory in his fourth ride from grid one.
Another fall in his fifth and final ride after a tangle with Pole Dawid Bas on bend four confirmed Grimes finished on 11 points.
Reflecting on a busy weekend, Grimes said he was disappointed to not challenge for a podium place though overall was pleased with his first major final efforts.
He said: “There was no inch given on the track, it was a tough meeting and the crowd was entertained with some blockbuster racing action.
“To finish on 11 points is good and I learnt a lot throughout the weekend – hopefully bigger things won’t be too far off as I build my experience.
“I have to thank the travelling Coventry fans who came down from the Midlands to support me on both days, support like that means everything and it really does make a difference on track.
“My sponsor Craig Alan has been terrific and without his support this weekend would not have happened.”
Myke is next in action this weekend for Coventry as they face one of their toughest Elite League fixtures of the year when taking on Wednesfield at home on Sunday (August 7) at 2pm.
Coventry’s ever growing club night, ran by Myke himself, continues next Wednesday night at 6pm for newcomers and 7pm for the senior team.
Visit www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk for further information.
Grimes delighted with eleventh place finish in Poole at European Championships
