Ford: Celina Liebmann a 'fantastic ambassador' for women in speedway

Liebmann made history this year, becoming the first female rider to secure a team place in the country, joining Workington Comets in the SGB Championship.

The 23-year-old women’s world champion featured twice against Pirates this season, scoring two points at Wimborne Road, before totalling four in the reverse fixture at Workington last Saturday.

That included a race win, finishing ahead of Vinnie Foord and Comets teammate Jason Edwards in heat 14, after Zach Cook had been excluded after falling.

However, that proved to be Liebmann’s final race for the Comets, who were well beaten 53-37 on the day. She was released by the club this week and replaced by experienced brit Paul Starke for the season run-in.

Liebmann in action at Wimborne Road (Image: Richard Crease)

Discussing the German’s impact in Britain, Ford told the Daily Echo: “I think she’s a fantastic ambassador for the sport and for women in the sport.

“You speak to her and what a fantastic personality she is.

“Obviously they (Workington) were new into the league and as the new guys joining the league, you have to look elsewhere for riders, because a lot of riders are already committed to teams from quite early on.

“They obviously brought in a few new faces and it’s working for them.”

Asked about the strength of women’s speedway as a whole, Ford added: “Celina is by far the standout rider at the minute, but it’s certainly growing.

“Having a rider of Celina’s profile is helping the sport massively.

“She rode as a wildcard in an SGP2 round and the profile she is gaining now from being in the Championship and showing she can mix it with the guys.

“There is still a long way to go.

“It is very hard for women in most sports. But hopefully Celina being in (Britain) kind of paves the way for future generations.”

Celina Liebmann with Mia Evans (Image: Richard Crease)

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When Liebmann rode at Wimborne Road back in May, she posed for pictures and gave advice to Mia Evans, an aspiring young female speedway rider, who also got out on track on her bike for some laps.

Speaking earlier this summer, Liebmann said: “Some smaller girls come to me and say, ‘you are so good. I love to see you in Britain’.

“I feel like I inspire some girls and get more girls into speedway. That’s what we need.

“The Workington guys have told me that they now have small girls who want to try the sport and get practice just because of me – just because they saw me!”

Poole face Workington in the BSN Series semi-finals later this month.