Matt from Asda Ipswich goes for cycle speedway glory
Everyone at our Ipswich store is rooting for customer manager Matt Hill as he prepares to take on the best in the world and in Europe in cycle speedway.
Matt, who's 29 and has worked at the store for 12 years, has been a member of the Ipswich Eagles Cycle Speedway Club since 2006.
He’s a two-time Indoor British Open Individual Champion, was placed 16th in the Open World Championships, and represented Ireland in the World Best Pairs, where his team finished fourth.
He will be taking part in the European team championships in Poland at the end of April, the British championships in Birmingham in August and the UCI World Championships in France next year.
Matt said: "Cycle speedway is the pedal bike version of motorbike speedway – it's a bit like speed skating but on a bike! We race round an oval circuit and our bikes don't have any brakes or gears – it's basically speed and brute force. We do four laps of a 100m track and it's full contact. I've had a few injuries over the years – I've broken my wrists and my fingers – and flown in the air a few times.
"I think cycle speedway started after the war when people made dirt cycle tracks on old bomb sites and then it developed into arenas. There's at least 50 arenas in the UK now. It is popular in a lot of countries and one day we hope it will be an Olympic sport.
"I started when I was about seven. My dad's friend was chairman of the local team so me and my brother, Ashley, went along for a 'come and try it' session and we have both been doing it ever since. I go to the gym most days of the week and see my mates on the track every Tuesday – it's great.
"My colleagues at the store are very supportive. The sport is a complete contrast to what I do at Asda!"
Debbie Jones, Asda Ipswich's community champion, said: "We couldn’t be more impressed by his commitment, talent, and drive – both in and out of work. Matt, you’re an amazing rider and an absolute credit to the team. We wish you the very best of luck for the future."