Last updated at 12:40, Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Workington Comets reserve Gary Irving believes he has now found the speed to propel him to better things this season.

Gary Irving

Irving arguably had his best meeting of the season on Saturday against Edinburgh, where he scored a paid nine points, including what was his first outright victory of the season.

Irving admits that he has calmed himself down as a rider from last year and felt he needed to take a step back before moving forward which is why it has taken him a few meetings to find the speed.

He said: “On Saturday it was the fastest I had felt all year. This year I felt I needed just to take a step back and a bit more time before moving forward to build up my confidence. I feel I am getting there now and it was good to get my first race win under my belt.”

Irving’s philosophy is similar to that of Adam Roynon who tried too hard when he first came back from his life-threatening injuries in 2010. He has now learnt not always to go for the win in every race and Irving said he had talked to Roynon about the situation.

He said: “Myself and Adam have both had big injuries and we have both learnt when to back out and make sure we end up finishing and know there is always another race and another meeting.

“We are still both racing hard but know when to draw the line because you can’t score points and earn money while sitting on the sidelines.

“I always knew it was going to come and it was just when. I am getting faster, my gating is improving in every meeting and I know if I make a start there are not many people that are going to catch me.”

Workington travel to Scunthorpe on Friday in the Knock Out Cup, with the return leg 24 hours later. The winners meet Leicester in the quarter finals.

Irving knows the Eddie Wright Raceway well as he rides there for National League side Scunthorpe. He added: “I put pressure on myself to score points in every race. It doesn’t make it any different whether it is Scunthorpe or not.”

First published at 11:27, Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk