Ryan Bennett will keep a keen eye on the Grand Prix
Wolves defender Ryan Bennett features in the souvenir programme for tonight’s Adrian Flux FIM British Speedway Grand Prix in Cardiff (5pm).
Ryan was kind enough to give up some of his time look ahead to the action – and his passion and knowledge of the sport shines through.
In fact, he’s one of two high profile football people in the publication – I had the pleasure of interviewing Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently for a feature where he revealed how his dad first got him into the sport by taking him to Belle Vue.
Ryan has revealed how he watches the Grand Prix whenever he gets the chance – and he’s backing the British riders for success in the Principality Stadium tonight. “It is always tough to call but I love watching the British boys and seeing Robert Lambert do well,” said Bennett.
“He has struggled a little bit in the past couple of GPs but has had a tough time with injury.
“I remember going to King’s Lynn and someone saying there was a 15-year-old coming through and pointing out Robert when he was stood in front of us in the pits.
“A year later you could see how well he was doing and that he had progressed. He is someone I look out for every time he is on.
“I know he can go well at Cardiff and Tai is coming back into it, he has looked more on the pace over the past couple of weeks. Then you have Bartosz Zmarzlik and riders like that who will always be in with a shout.
“Freddie Lindgren is having a good spell, so is Niels-Kristian Iversen after qualifying for next year – I saw the other day how he had been trying new things and they seem to be working for him.
“I think it will be wide open. It is one of those GPs that is always a massive spectacle and with the backing he has, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Tai Woffinden win it.”
Reigning World Champion Woffinden, a Wolves asset, is playing down hopes of winning tonight after an injury-hit season.
He said: “It would be good but I feel it’s probably a bit too tough this year. I don’t think people realise how difficult it is to have two months out of action. At the very top of the sport, it’s almost impossible to just slot back in and compete.
“Cardiff is just another Grand Prix to me in lots of respects. But no other round makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end like here.
“To look up and watch all the Union Jacks is very special. Over the past few years I’ve have come here to do a job halfway through the series, make the final, job done. That plan has served me well in all my World Championship wins.
“This year feels a bit different, I’m not chasing the title but I’m certainly chasing Grand Prix wins. It’s the usual job of making the semis, final and then see what happens.”
*Copies of the 80-page Cardiff programme featuring Ryan Bennett, Paul Scholes, Tai Woffinden, Charles Wright and lots more will be available at the stadium tonight. Alternatively order one from curtis-sport.com – it’s well worth the read!
