Sheffield Speedway rider announces retirement

Sheffield racer Todd Kurtz has announced his retirement after a decade with various clubs.
Todd KurtzTodd Kurtz
Todd Kurtz

Kurtz, who was granted a testimonial at Owlerton before the pandemic wiped out the season, is set remain in Australia when the new season starts next spring.

He is, however, hopeful of still staging his testimonial which, naturally, he will fly over to organise.

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He’s a popular character around the club, well liked by colleagues and fans alike but feels the time is right to call it a day.

“There’s been plenty of times I’ve nearly thrown the towel in,” he said. “I always managed to get my head together and keep going.

“I didn’t really reach the heights of the sport that I once hoped. I would have done things a little different if I had my time over, you live and learn. But reaching 10 years has been my achievement. I’m proud of that.

“I’ve loved every minute of my time over there and I hope that I have done all my clubs proud.”

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And he’s revealed how he was always planning to bring the curtain down at the end of this year.

He said: “I didn’t really tell too many people, mainly due to the fact that I wanted people to know I was there for the right reasons, but 2020 was going to be my last season.

“Not only did I get the privilege of having my testimonial, but I was going to be lucky enough to be a part of Sheffield moving up to the top league and I was more than excited to be a part of that.

“Riding with Nicki Pedersen and also my good mates Jack Holder, Josh Grajczonek and Kyle Howarth would have been the dream end to my time over there.

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“I was probably the fittest I had been and was 100% committed to doing a good job for Sheffield, the toughest part about 2020 was probably missing out on the actual season.

“I was so looking forward to the opportunity and hopefully bringing home some silverware for the Sheffield promotion and their loyal fans. It’s a bitter pill to swallow that I now won’t be part of it.”