Coventry Bees star Danny King relishes debut Grand Prix triumph in Cardiff - The Coventry Observer

Coventry Bees star Danny King relishes debut Grand Prix triumph in Cardiff

Coventry Editorial 13th Jul, 2016 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

DANNY King admits his was delighted to score seven points at his debut Grand Prix as the British wild card at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff last weekend, writes Observer speedway reporter Robin Allen.

King secured a place at his home Grand Prix after winning the British Championship at National Speedway stadium last month.

It seemed the new British Champion could not have been given a tougher start, coming up against three-time World Champion Nicki Pedersen and former World number-three Neils Kristian-Iversen in heat four.

Things did not get any easier in the next heat as King lined-up against reigning World Champion Tai Woffinden, and despite having the better inside gate the Coventry man just did not have the speed to keep up with his competitors.




“It’s just a shame we had the two bad rides first up,” said King “You can’t really do that at a Grand Prix.

“It just wasn’t the right setup, and I don’t think I used my head enough in the first corners, I drifted off the line in one and got overtaken by someone which is frustrating, and I just did not make a good start in the other.


“We made a few little changes, nothing much, and all of a sudden the bike was alive and we were away.”

King then came up against his fellow countryman and Bees teammate Chris Harris in heat 12 securing second place, while Harris on the other hand, was having a disastrous night after having such as successful night at previous Grand Prix in Prague, where he came third.

And after a further second place in heat 14, everyone would have thought King would not be able to better that, but the Brit had other ideas after watching his fellow countryman Woffinden raise the roof with a race win in heat 18.

King then out-gated three-time World Champion Greg Hancock in the following race before producing a sensational pass on first Matej Zagar and then Bartosz Zmarzlik to secure his first Grand Prix win to the delight of the home crowd.

King added: “I will never forget that until the day I die! It was unbelievable; it was quite emotional actually, when they were all standing up cheering, and the Union Jack were waving it was something I will never forget that is for sure.

“I am over the moon! I am absolutely amazed to finish with seven points then from the last three rides.”

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