Col Posted January 8 Report Share Posted January 8 5 hours ago, IainB said: I think Hancock did have quite a serious injury (an arm or a leg break), pretty early on in his career though... and didn't he have knee trouble and was one of the first to use the knee brace... memory is a bit hazy, it was a long time ago! Hancock came over in 89, spent most of the season at reserve achieved a 5.8ish average. Started 90 at reserve but got into the top 5 quite quick over Handberg or Grahame (both had poor seasons) or Hamill (new to British League). Hancock was averaging 7.5ish after month or two of 90, making him Cradley's third eat leader (behind Cross & Pedersen) when he broke his arm. It was late summer by the time Hancock came back from that injury but by then Cross & Pedersen were out for the season so the team was being propped up by guests. Hancock finished the season with a 5.9ish averaged, really struggled to come back from that injury. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of Shaleman Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 Have to say Lynn’s social media is good. Well done to those responsible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldPitGate Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 On 1/8/2026 at 11:52 PM, Col said: Hancock came over in 89, spent most of the season at reserve achieved a 5.8ish average. Started 90 at reserve but got into the top 5 quite quick over Handberg or Grahame (both had poor seasons) or Hamill (new to British League). Hancock was averaging 7.5ish after month or two of 90, making him Cradley's third eat leader (behind Cross & Pedersen) when he broke his arm. It was late summer by the time Hancock came back from that injury but by then Cross & Pedersen were out for the season so the team was being propped up by guests. Hancock finished the season with a 5.9ish averaged, really struggled to come back from that injury. I had forgotten about Handberg never hugely rated him but from memory didn't he finish third in 1992 world championship ? such a shame re Simon Cross as he was at the time really looking like a truly world class rider but then had a bad smash and was never the same afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDY69 Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 On 1/8/2026 at 2:43 PM, Derrickn said: I remember him breaking the track record at Halifax,leaving Kenny Carter in his wake.He said he had been using his"gold top"engine,whatever that meant. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted Monday at 12:08 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 12:08 PM On 1/14/2026 at 9:45 AM, YeOldPitGate said: I had forgotten about Handberg never hugely rated him but from memory didn't he finish third in 1992 world championship ? such a shame re Simon Cross as he was at the time really looking like a truly world class rider but then had a bad smash and was never the same afterwards. Rain affected Final in Wroclaw Handberg did indeed finish 3rd behind Havelock & Jonsson, I believe. Cross could have been World Champion in 1990 before he broke his back at the world pairs, never quite the same rider afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldPitGate Posted Monday at 07:05 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 07:05 PM 6 hours ago, Col said: Rain affected Final in Wroclaw Handberg did indeed finish 3rd behind Havelock & Jonsson, I believe. Cross could have been World Champion in 1990 before he broke his back at the world pairs, never quite the same rider afterwards. Agreed he really seemed to be stepping up to the highest level Cradley had terrible luck with injuries loosing Gundo, Cross and Jan'o soon after he became world champion, was it the Cradley 83 or 84 team that was rated one of the best ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Posted Monday at 10:50 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 10:50 PM 3 hours ago, YeOldPitGate said: Agreed he really seemed to be stepping up to the highest level Cradley had terrible luck with injuries loosing Gundo, Cross and Jan'o soon after he became world champion, was it the Cradley 83 or 84 team that was rated one of the best ever. The best ever IMO - and that's from a Witches fan that would love to say the 1998 was the best 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted yesterday at 02:12 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 02:12 PM 19 hours ago, YeOldPitGate said: Agreed he really seemed to be stepping up to the highest level Cradley had terrible luck with injuries loosing Gundo, Cross and Jan'o soon after he became world champion, was it the Cradley 83 or 84 team that was rated one of the best ever. 83, the year after Penhall retired. Gundersen, King, Wigg, Alan Grahame, Phil Collins, Ravn & Jan O Pedersen. Cross had a few meetings when Pedersen was injured. I think Pedersen & Ravn finished the season as 7+ averaging reserves. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie456 Posted yesterday at 06:19 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 06:19 PM 4 hours ago, Col said: 83, the year after Penhall retired. Gundersen, King, Wigg, Alan Grahame, Phil Collins, Ravn & Jan O Pedersen. Cross had a few meetings when Pedersen was injured. I think Pedersen & Ravn finished the season as 7+ averaging reserves. Pains me to say it but that team has to be the GOAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldPitGate Posted yesterday at 06:43 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 06:43 PM 22 minutes ago, Wolfie456 said: Pains me to say it but that team has to be the GOAT. Yes it was a hell of a side, King was my fave rider at the time had stacks of talent but never quite kicked on to the very top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue witch Posted 7 hours ago Report Share Posted 7 hours ago Was looking to get my first speedway fix of the season for Klindt's testimonial as the line up is looking decent. Just seen it's on mothers day so won't be making the trip into dodgy Norfolk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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