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| GAVIN WHEELER |
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GAVIN WHEELER - One of the top stars of
British cycle speedway, and son of the legendary Southampton rider Colin, Gavin has been riding since he was 9 years of age
after seeing "dad" competing in a match at Poole. He came to International prominence in 1997 when he clinched
the World Junior Championship and went on to become a British Senior Champion in 2002 and again in 2008 when the final
was staged here at Harbourside. Gavin rates his home track at Winchester Road as his favourite just ahead of Poole along with
Ipswich and Wednesfield where he also enjoys racing. Of his contemporaries, he rates Lee Aris as the rider he respects most
for the 100% effort he puts in on and off the track making him a role model for aspiring youngsters. Gavin enjoys the social
side of the sport and the many friendships he has made whilst racing. His preference is for big team events and the extra
"buzz" they generate rather than individual competitions. Gavin has won three BTC winners medals for Southampton
and still has aspirations for another. He would also like to add a senior World title to his impressive racing CV!
| BEN DONOHUE |
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BEN DONOHUE - Ben has been a Harbourside regular
since 2001 when he saw someone have a racing crash and said 'this sport is for me'! He has been capped for England
at junior level and competed in Poland. He has ridden for Poole in two U.19 British team finals, winning the title on one
occasion. He loves racing on the Poole track and away from home prefers larger, faster circuits like Southampton. In early
racing days Ben says he was greatly influenced by Ade Gale who taught him the importance of hard training and racing focus.
He also had great admiration for the team riding skills of Richard Clanfield while currently he rates Gavin Wheeler as the
complete rider from gating, team riding, switching lines...in fact, the lot! Ben is an increasingly important cog in
the club activities off-track as a fully fledged BC Coach which sees him regularly leading the Clubnight sessions which have
attracted so many new young faces to the club. He is also a busy club committee member, helping to spearhead the GoRide accreditation
efforts. As a rider he nurtures the hope of a British team winners medal.
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| THOMAS REED |
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THOMAS
REED - Tom started racing cycle speedway at the age of 5, having been was introduced to
the sport by his father, Mark Reed who was also a successful rider. Tom signed for Poole in 2008 and made an immediate
impact in the premier league notching big scores and taking notable scalps. Last year he travelled to Adelaide, for the
Junior World Championships where he finished 7th - the highest ranked GB rider. He has won many British titles
in his young career including the British U.16 and U.19 titles, and the national U.16 indoor titles. Tom
also rides for his local club Exeter in the South West league, where he has competed ever since he took up the sport.
Tom says his favourite tracks are Poole and East Park plus - of course - his home town circuit,
Exeter. Tom looks up to the likes of Gavin Wheeler, Lee Aris, Daniel Pudney, for the effort they give and for their commitment
they give to their clubs, as well as their high standards in the sport. The Junior World title is now well within his
sites and he would dearly like to add it to his impressive list of accomplishments.
| PETE YOUNG |
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PETE YOUNG - Pete holds the record for
the most appearances in International racing for Scotland and Gt Britain and is also the record points scorer. He started
recing in his home city of Edinburgh in 1979, following in father Dave's wheel tracks. Rode in Manchester for a couple
of seasons before moving to Poole in 1988. Has appeared in 12 British finals, winning the coveted title in 1997 and runners
up spot in 2001. Raced in 6 European finals with 2 rostrum places in 1994 (3rd) and 2000 (2nd). Pete has also raced in 6 World
finals. He has 11 British team winners medals, 9 of them with Poole and aims to add one more in memory of his former team
partner, Ade Gale.He enjoys the competition in cycle speedway, especially winning but also the cameraderie. He had great respect
for riders like Jim Varnish and John Watchman in his earlier years and more recently the likes of Daniel Pudney, Gavin
Wheeler, Lukas Nowacki, Lee Aris and Marcin Paradinski. He enjoys racing on well prepared tracks like Findon, Horspath and
Leicester but especially Poole!
| PAVEL CEGIELSKI |
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PAWEL CEGIELSKI - Hails from Torun in Northern Poland and has
raced for his home town club in the top flight ExtraLeague since 2001. For Pawel, the sport is all about the team result rather
than his individual points total and he names the Torun team of 2005 on its way to European and World club titles and the
2007 Poole line-up as his all-time best teams. Prior to racing at Poole, Pawel spent some time in the UK with the Filton and
E.Newport clubs. Although team racing is his first preference on the track, he has a string of individual honours capped
by reaching the World Final in 2007. When in the UK, Pawel loves racing at Harbourside but also admits to a liking for Hellingly!In
Poland he is a much respected figure and helps to train the young riders in the Torun club. On the International scene , he
enjoys his visits to Australia to see his good buddy and fellow Poole team member from 2007 - Brad Hoppo. Pawel is also good
pals with World champ Daniel Pudney who he greatly admires. Pawel speaks perfect English and is a great ambassador for the
sport.
| ARTUR POPRAWSKI |
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ARTUR POPRAWSKI - The
popular Polish star was an outstanding prospect from the moment he started racing in his home town of Poniec in 1999 followed
by a move of club to nearby Rawicz where he has remained loyaly ever since despite attempts to lure him by bigger clubs. His
impressive record in the Polish Junior Championships saw him on the rostrum no less than 6 times, twice as a winner,
twice as runner up and twice in the bronze position. He also progressed to a third place in the European Junior Championship
at Wednesfield. Since moving into senior competition, Artur has progressed steadily and qualified for the World final in Adelaide
in 2009 and the Polish senior individual in the same year. He is a full time physical education student at Leszno which
accounts for his incredible standard of speed and fitness. Artur has completed 3 short seasons with Poole in the Premier League
during his summer vacations and enjoys the high standard of competition in the UK and the support of the home crowd at Harbourside
Park.
| MARCIN PARADINSKI |
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| "makum" EUROPEAN CHAMPION 2010! |
MARCIN PARADINSKI - Started cycle speedway in 2001 at his hometown club Torun and took the sport by storm in his native
Poland becoming one of the most decorated junior riders in the country's history. In addition to domestic honours he won
the European Junior title in 2004 and 2006 before progressing to the World senior championship stage in 2007 at Czestochowa
and 2009 in Adelaide where he finished 4th on both occasions. He has his eyes firmly set on a rostrum place next time around! Marcin
has featured in all the European and World club championship successes for the Torun club thanks to his lightning speed from
the tapes and around the track, qualities which have made him probably the most feared opponant in Poland with no quarter
asked for or given! Opprtunities to race for Poole in the Premier League are unfortunately limited due to his domestic commitments
with Torun and his work with the city's transport department but if you see his name on the teamsheet at any time, make
every effort to come and watch him race....you will not be disappointed!
| SAM HEARN |
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SAM HEARN - Began racing in 2007 as a newcomer
to "Clubnight" after hearing about the sport from a friend. Had such good fun that he kept racing and soon showed
promise such that within 12 months he achieved a rostrum place in the 2008 British U.16 final with a bronze medal. He was
a finalist again in 2009 and has also won a silver in the South-West final and a team gold with Poole in the British U.16
club championship. Sam is a regular first team rider in the S.West league and has also established himself in the Premier
League squad where his improvement continues. He was also a member of the British touring team in the 2009 World championships
in Australia. Sam has a preference for fast tracks and enjoys racing at Wednesfield as well as his home Harbourside circuit.
He enjoys the social side of the sport and has made many friends. One of his best mates is Thomas Reed who he greatly admires
as a rider - someone who really inspires the "young guns" in the Poole club. As for an ambition in the sport, Sam
has set his sights on being World champion, no less!
| TOM COLLING |
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