Loram makes emotional Foxhall return

MARK Loram made an emotional return to Foxhall Stadium last night but the Evening Star Witches couldn't produce the goods on the track as Poole ran out comfortable 58-35 victors to take home the Sky Sports Elite League points.

By Mike Bacon

MARK Loram made an emotional return to Foxhall Stadium last night but the Evening Star Witches couldn't produce the goods on the track as Poole ran out comfortable 58-35 victors to take home the Sky Sports Elite League points.

It is almost a month since Loram's season was ended after an horrific crash with Reading's Sam Simota left him with a broken thigh, and despite hobbling on crutches in the Foxhall pits, he thanked everyone for the support he has been receiving.

“The amount of cards and well-wishers I have received has been touching,” Loram said.

“I feel really appreciated and I want to thank everyone for that.

“I can't complain about the way I am and I'm happy with life. I'm having physio twice a week now with Brian Simpson and the body is a tremendous thing, so hopefully everything will turn out OK.

“At the time of the accident everyone did everything right and what they could. I want to thank them for that.”

Meanwhile, back on track Loram probably wished he could have been out there assisting his team-mates during Poole's emphatic victory.

Evening Star Witches team manager, Mike Smillie offered no excuses for his side's poor showing.

“You can give excuses about all sorts of things, but there is simply no point,” he said.

“Poole were simply better and we produced three race winners all night, that says it all. Some of our riders have talked about the track being a bit slick, but Poole adapted well enough, so we should have.”

Robert Miskowiak said: “In my first two rides my engine was bumping, so I changed machines and that was a bit better. It was a bad night for us all, everyone in the team. Every rider seemed to have some sort of problem.”

Tobi Kroner, so impressive against Oxford seven days earlier, looked out of touch throughout the meeting.

“The problem tonight was mainly me and in my head. I found myself not concentrating at the tapes enough,” he said.

“I must concentrate on what I have got to do. Mark (Loram) has given me enough advice on what to do, it's up to me.”

Indeed the only ray of light on a dark evening for the home side was the debut of Chris Schramm who showed few nerves winning his first ever race for the Witches.

“I might not have seemed nervous, but I was,” he said.

“I am happy with what I did and hopefully I will get another chance with Ipswich.”

But for Poole's Grand Prix star Bjarne Pedersen, it was all smiles.

“That's what we have been threatening to do for a while now,” he said.

“Everyone clicked tonight and Ipswich have had injuries and tonight some of their riders were off form. But we were solid and when we click, we are as good as anyone.”