RIP Lee Richardson

[alanmayes]

Lee typically giving maximum effort for England in a World Cup Final.

[WEBBERhyde]

Absolutely devestated when I heard the news this evening. I just sat on the floor in disbelief. He was one of the classiest riders around and really endeared himself to everyone on the terraces at blunsdon when he was with. He should never have left really...it was only the stupid rules of the sport that meant that he had to go as we had to dismantle our team after the 2007 season. His partnership with Leigh Adams during Rico's time here was a lethal one. Those two in heats 13 and 15 together at the Abbey were superb. One of the most stylish pairings in speedway ever. They were poetry.
Lee always got a very warm reception every single time he came back to blunsdon. As said already, he was the one everyone wanted to replace Leigh when he left, but sadly for us he was happy at Lakeside and had a perfect set up for his family nearby too and was completely settled.

A lot of people are blaming a dangerous track in Poland. I was watching the second half of the match after Lee's accident which I didn't see until after the match, his injuries weren't fully known at that point. The track did look very heavy with riders bucking about all over the place. Lee's was a complete racing accident with no one to blame but for the very difficult track. He caught a bit of grip and lifted coming off the bend, clipping the back of two riders sending him into the back straight fence at quite a speed. It was definitely a very nasty one but there has been worse. Unfortunately Lee was unlucky, at the most costly price.

Most awful of all, he's left behind a very young family. Incredibly sad, such a nice chap too and great rider. RIP.

[Crispy]

Footage of the crash on youtube - couldn't bring myself to watch it. Used to love watching him at Swindon. RIP Lee.

[Nomoreheroes]

I took a look. As has already been posted, it didn't look as if it was as serious as it turned out. Makes you realise how thankful we should be after a rider gets up from 'any' crash.

[Anteater]

Absolutely shit news.

RIP Rico.

[Leggett]

Very sad news, RIP.

[leefer]

Been away working and came home to this news....crap news.

Just goes to show how fragile life can be.

[steptoe41]

We have all got our problems, be they large or small, but something like this puts everything into perspective.

RIP Lee. Top Bloke.

[Bob's Orange]

I've seen Rico at the Abbey Stadium when he rode for the Robins. Sad time. RIP.

Incidentally, Lakeside face Swindon on 18/05/12 which is bound to be a chance for both sides to pay their respects!

[carbonwhite]

did he not have an accident a few years back that he was lucky to escape?