World champion Tai Woffinden says “I expect to be in contention” as he battles to regain top form in the European Grand Prix at Bydgoszcz
World champion Tai Woffinden says “I expect to be in contention” as he battles to regain top form in the European Grand Prix at Bydgoszcz, Poland tonight.
The 23-year-old Brit travelled to the opening round in Auckland on April 5 carrying back and foot ligament injuries and fought his way to seven points.
Woffinden, whose dad Rob rode for Middlesbrough, is yet to pick up the blistering pace which saw him crowned the youngest ever Grand world champion last year.
But as he travels to Bydgoszcz, where he reached his first ever Grand Prix final in April 2013, Woffinden is far from panicking and confident he can get back to his best.
He said: “There was no way I was ever going to show world championship winning form right from the start of this season, was there?
“I feel fine, honestly I do. Yes, the scores haven’t been what I would have wanted, but I feel fine mentally and on the physical side I’m getting there too.
“I’m always disappointed when I don’t score the points for Wolverhampton because they need me as a powerful spearhead. I ran three lasts in a Polish League meeting for Wroclaw early on too which was more than the entire 2013 season!
“But I’m not ready to press the panic button. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about riding in Bydgoszcz.
“It’s an awesome place, an awesome race track and I’m going for it.
“I scored seven points in Auckland which was a steady start, not far off how I started last season, so if I can just keep it going and improve round-by-round, then I expect to be in contention.
“I know there’s a target on my back as champion, but I’m ready for that. I’m looking to keep my head down, work hard and have a good meeting in Bydgoszcz.”
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