"I didn’t even fly on a plane this year. That was the biggest shock, to be honest. Normally I do that a lot. I wanted to be busy again because I miss speedway so much. I need to be busy and race my speedway bike. That's what I really enjoy doing." Birmingham recruit Matej Zagar can't wait to be racing regularly again...
DAN GOES HIS OWN WAY
"It's just a vicious circle. You have to spend money to make money. You have to win races to be rewarded with opportunities. It's always tough. Fans don't really see the stuff that goes on behind the scenes, mechanically and physically. A lot of riders burn out." Dan Thompson is looking forward to a fresh start with Glasgow.
PAIN OVER FOR ZAINE
"I ended up having a full body X-ray and they noticed my pelvis hadn't healed properly, there was a piece of bone that had grown on it and I was told there was a very good chance that I was going to lose my leg at one stage." Thankfully, all of Zaine Kennedy's limbs remain intact and the Aussie will be back in Britain after a two-season absence to resume his career with Scunthorpe next spring.
ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S MAGAZINE
Interview: World Longtrack wild card Mika Meijer • Track Review: Edinburgh Academy • SpeedQ&A: Antti Vuolas • On the frontline: Poole v Oxford • Double standards • Off the Beaten Track.