Kent SLYDE Kings’ local teenager Danno Verge is cross-Channel bound this weekend in the latest stage of a concerted effort to prepare fully for the 2016 Speedway season which begins in a month’s time.
The Shorne-based youngster who begins his second season in the Invicta race jacket of the Central Park located club travels to Mâcon in east-central France to take part in machine testing and practicing on the circuit there.
Accompanying Danno (who competes in the GB Under 21 championship on his home track on April 4th.) will be a three times former winner of that title, Simon Stead and Coventry Bees Elite League rider, Stuart Robson – the experience these two racers can impart to the 19 year old Verge will surely be an invaluable part of this Continental adventure.
It’s all part of a comprehensive programme bring undertaken by Danno to improve on his somewhat inconsistent performances of last year and make a positive contribution to his home county side from the reserve berth come tapes up in March – as he explains,
“My bikes are all prepped and in top condition for the season and my mind is definitely prepped and I’m determined to bang some good points in.”
And it’s very much a case of healthy mind and body for Verge as he accepts some of last year’s shortcomings were linked at times to lack of basic stamina,
“ My fitness and diet is going really well – I’m training with Aaron Rowe Fitness every week and I’m also training myself another three days during the week. I feel fit and I can do more laps than I could last year that’s for sure.
“ I’m looking forward to the season and I cannot wait to start racing and show everyone the new and improved me!”
The opportunities on Verge’s Kent doorstep to get in quality training haven’t gone to waste either – with the Iwade training track revamped and the air fence donated by the Kings installed, there’s been time now to get riding sharp around the circuit which is also in Swale. And two recent Training days held by two Kentish Speedway legends and full GB internationals at the Old Gun Site track have been a god send.
“The days organised respectively by Paul Hurry and last weekend by Danny King have been great to attend. They are both great guys and of course really good riders and I was happy to get advice from them, showing me where I need to improve on. Now going to France with Simon and Robbo with be great too and so hopefully they can show me a few things to do to improve myself”
Danno even got a chance to test out his strength last Sunday on a day relaxing up at the Celebration of Speedway event at Paradise Park in Hertfordshire – though this was of an unscheduled nature.
“On Sunday me and the family were parking up to go to the very busy event at the Speedway Museum when we noticed the Kent SLYDE Kings’ Press Officer Derek Barclay had managed when parking on one of the country lanes around the packed park to get his van stuck in the mud! So me and my Dad (Steve Verge, the former Hackney Kestrels rider) and others in our party came to the rescue, pushing the trapped vehicle clear! As Derek said, when you’re in trouble stuck on a very muddy verge who better to come to your aid than two Speedway riders called Verge!”
Danno swaps Broxbourne for delightful Burgundy today (Thursday 25th.) and goes with a commendably determined attitude,
“Most importantly I am fighting fit and ready to prove to everyone in 2016 what I can do on the track and help the Kent SLYDE Kings win as many meetings as we can”.
Picture supplied by Monika Kopaniarz.