IT'S the Blue Riband event of cycle speedway and in two months' time it's coming to Ipswich's Whitton Sports Centre.This August Bank Holiday will see the British U16 and British Open cycle speedway semi-finals and finals being held in Suffolk, with the country's top riders on show in what is set to be a weekend of high-class and dramatic two-wheeled action.

By Mike Bacon

IT'S the Blue Riband event of cycle speedway and in two months' time it's coming to Ipswich's Whitton Sports Centre.

This August Bank Holiday will see the British U16 and British Open cycle speedway semi-finals and finals being held in Suffolk, with the country's top riders on show in what is set to be a weekend of high-class and dramatic two-wheeled action.

With semi-finals at Kesgrave, Great Blakenham and Somersham, and finals day at Ipswich, it promises to be thrills-a-minute action for fans of the sport.

And yesterday the finals received a boost as Ipswich's Olympic swimmer and sports ambassador, Karen Pickering, gave her backing to the event at a press launch in the town.

“I have seen cycle speedway and it is quite fantastic how these guys and girls throw bikes round the corner with no brakes,” she said.

“I know Ipswich has had a strong history of cycle speedway riders and the Ipswich club is one of the biggest in Europe. It is great for the sport that such prestigious finals are coming to the town.”