IN FOCUS
O LIFE THE
THER ON
FREQUENT FLYER Being a speedway rider is one of the most demanding sports you can do as an athlete from a travel perspective, as we ride in three to four countries each week and take two to four flights per week, sometimes with several connections. In 2016, I flew 80 times in seven months. Eating healthily on the road can be a challenge so I try wherever possible to cook food at home that I can bring with me. Eating the right foods, including loading up on carbs before a race meeting, can really help my performance, but I have to confess some- times it’s a burger and fries afterwards!
RACING AROUND When I was younger I rode in four leagues and all the Under 21 World and European Championships. It would often mean visiting five countries in one week of racing and I usually flew at 6am or 7am with Ryanair or Wizz Air, as their flight times were often the most suitable.
This new series turns the focus onto the traveller… Below, Speedway star Nicolai Klindt tells BBT how he manages punishing schedules
Nicolai Klindt rides at speedway events in three or four countries each week
PLANNING AHEAD When you complete a race and certainly when you win it, it’s a time to celebrate and to recognise your achievements with the team, but I try not to dwell on any result – good or bad – for too long. My mind is always on the next race and it is important to wake up the following day with a positive mindset for the upcoming challenge.
MAKING CONNECTIONS I know how important rest is, so I tend to choose connecting flights. Instead of driving to Stansted airport in the middle of the night to fly to Denmark, I take the train to either Birmingham or Manchester airport to fly via Copenhagen with a one- hour stopover. It might be two flights and I might get there a little later in the day, but I will have something that’s close to a normal night’s sleep. This can be difficult and often many riders will choose to sleep on the floor of an airport while waiting for their flight the next day. I’ve learnt over the years the importance of a proper night’s rest, so I will opt for a hotel near the airport wherever possible so I can wake up ready for the journey and the race ahead.
Klindt won a recent race in Workington, Cumbria
12 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
STRESS BUSTING I used to book my own flights and arranged my own transfers. This takes a lot of planning, especially when you are trying to locate the closest airport and the best flight time. However, I now use ATPI Sports Events, and that stress has disappeared. So far this year it has been much easier, not just with the post-trip organisation but also when I am travelling. I brief the staff on where I have to be and when; they then come back to me with the best options.
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BACK ON TRACK As a speedway rider I’ve been to many countries. It might sound like a dream job to some but, in reality, all I see is airports, hotels and motorways – oh, and the speed- way tracks, of course. It’s rare I get to spend time looking around a city. Luckily, I have very understanding and supportive friends and family. It can be tough when you regu- larly miss birthdays and special occasions. We were worried that I would miss my daughter’s birth but, thankfully, I made it in time. The race schedule is demanding, so holidays have been on hold for a while. Maybe next year…
Speedway riding leaves little time for sightseeing
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