Shields has spent the winter recuperating in his native Australia

Lakeside Hammers captain Adam Shields has returned to riding for the first time since breaking his back.

The 32-year-old Australian was seriously injured in an Elite League race at Peterborough last August.

But he has confirmed to the club that he will be ready to ride when the new season begins at the end of March.

"I'm back on the bike and it's like I've never been away - I can honestly say that it felt as good as ever," he told the club's website.

"I've been having extensive physio during my recuperation, and also been training hard in the gym four times a week," he added.

"Once I have another week or so on the bike here in Australia, I will be in top shape ready for the new season in March."

The Hammers head into the new season looking to improve on last season's runner-up positions in both the Elite League and the Knock-Out Cup.

I know I have a set of team mates who will get stuck in, home and away, and we are full of out and out racers Adam Shields on the season ahead

Shields is confident the Essex club's 2009 line-up of Jonas Davidsson, Joonas Kylmakorpi, Kauko Nieminen, Chris Mills, Lee Richardson and Stuart Robson is capable of going one better this year.

"I know I have a set of team-mates who will get stuck in, home and away," said Shields.

"We are full of out-and-out racers, so entertainment is high on the agenda, too," he explained.

The Hammers begin their Elite League campaign away at Wolverhampton on Monday, 30 March.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version