Erik Riss claimed his first Championship Riders’ Individual title after roaring to victory at Sheffield.

The German international (pictured) was one of three riders to end the qualifying stages on 12 points along with Leicester’s Ryan Douglas and Edinburgh’s Sam Masters.

With the riders unable to be separated on count-back, a rider ballot took place which resulted in Riss having to battle through the semi-final.

Riss, a former Edinburgh captain, made a quick getaway to reach the Grand Final with home favourite Danny King also making it through.

The Bears rider then made another electric start to storm to victory ahead of King and Douglas, with Masters missing out on the rostrum.

Riss said: “I’m stoked for both myself and Redcar – I came fourth last year and wanted to do better, so to win is amazing.

“I had to come through the semi-final which made it tougher, but I felt good pretty much all meeting and was confident I could do it.

“I’ve enjoyed myself since I came to Redcar and to win a trophy for them is fantastic.”

Website | + posts

Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.