Celebration time for Erik Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

ERIK BACK FOR SECOND YEAR

NEWS Tuesday 17th November 2015, 8:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs are very pleased to have arranged for the return in 2016 of their 20 year old German star Erik Riss for his second season in British Speedway.

Erik arrived in March as the reigning World Longtrack Champion but with a burning ambition to learn how to ride Speedway, and he managed to increase his starting average to finish on a 5.22 figure at the end of his debut season.

Erik said “Last season was really good. The beginning was difficult for me because the track was so tight, I really struggled in my first meeting and only scored one point. I’ve just watched the DVD of that meeting!

“But in my second meeting I won my first heat and it just got better and better. As I often said I had to change my style a bit, and I managed to do that quite quickly. I scored quite consistent points from then on.

“The club helped me a lot, everyone helped me to improve. They helped me in the beginning with some costs, and it was good to ride for such a good team with such a great support. In the end it was an awesome experience and the most important thing was that I improved so much over the year.”

Craig Cook in particular was impressed with the way Erik attacked Armadale on his first ever practise session, and predicted at that stage that he would go far. Erik says “I was so motivated in the beginning of the season because Edinburgh gave me the chance and I wanted to show what I could do. I always attack tracks and give everything right from the beginning.”

He will be looking to improve again next year, obviously. “I don’t set special targets, I just want to improve more. I’m still a young rider who is new to the sport and I want to improve consistently.

“I’m not sure if I am doing the Longtrack next season, I will need to think about that, but I will do the Under-21s and hope to get to the final of that. I was very happy to be part of the German UInder-21 team who I think were the first to get into the team final. I think our senior team will be good also.”

Erik attended the recent end-of-season dance. He just managed to get his plane after the dance as he had to get back to Germany as he was filming a documentary with Sky Sports Germany.

After he had agreed Erik’s contract for next season, John Campbell was pleased to receive a message saying “"Thank you very much for renewing my contract. Couldn't ask for a better club. I'm so thankful for your trust in me."