MIDDLO ATTRACTS PAST WORLD CHAMPS

Six-times world champion Tony Rickardsson, and two former British world title holders  Mark Loram and Gary Havelock, will all be paying homage to Poole team manager Neil Middleditch when the racing season kicks off at Wimborne Road on March 25th. 
 

Rickardson, the popular Swede who won the hearts of so many Poole fans during his three and a half season spell with the club, retired from bike racing in 2006 and has in recent times been more involved in car racing. But the draw of Middlo's testimonial was too great for Rickardsson and he has chosen to return to Wimborne Road to enjoy all the fun of the meeting. 

Dan Ford, the club's co-promoter said "We have had some very special talent at Poole over the years but undoubtedly Tony is the most successful individual rider to have ridden for us. He was a superb attraction in his riding days and brought the club tremendous credibility. My Dad always talks about the likes of Malcolm Simmons as a household name in his younger times, for me the name was Tony Rickardsson so I am proud to be able to meet up with Tony again. More importantly though, I think it shows the high esteem in which Middlo is regarded that a busy man like Tony is prepared to take time out of his schedule to come and support his big night." 

Loram, a Pirate in 1999 and 2000 won his world  crown in that latter season,some eight years after Havelock had ended a 12 year British drought. 'Havvy', who will be taking on the Pirates team manager role in part for the 2020 season, rode alongside Rickardsson in 2001 and Loram the previous two years, after having made his club debut in 1998.