Andre first sat on a speedway bike at the Olle Nygran training school at Kings Lynn back in 1983 at the age of 16. He was already making a name for himself in the sport of cycle speedway and chose to concentrate on the considerably cheaper option whilst finishing school.

Having not forgotten his first experience and now in a full time job he attended the training school again in 1997 and went on to buy an ex-Martin Dugard upright bike from Gavin Hedge.  On his first outing, a practice day at Kings Lynn he fell heavilly breaking 3 fingers and the back of his hand.

After several weeks in plaster he enjoyed 5 accident free practise sessions gaining confidence before badly breaking his wrist at Ipswich - This was a disaster as the defending British Cycle Speedway Champion was hoping to defend his title 3 days later. This was not be be as the break required pinning and a disappointed Andre watched from the sidelines adding up the cost of the damage.

Having recently started up his own garage equipment business, time off with injuries cost Andre dearly and so he decided to concentrate on his new ventue and hung up his kevlars until 2000 having been persuaded by Jessica Lamb to start training again, this time with the ‘Southern Track Riders Association’.

By 2001 it was time to move on to a lay-down bike again purchased from Gavin and training continued successfully with both the ‘STRA’ and ‘The Amaturer Broadsiders Club’ at Sittingborn and Kings Lynn. A break finally came when Reading asked Ond to race for The Ravens in the Reading Development League (Team Photograph Below)

2002 started badly when Ond cracked his already weakened wrist at Kings Lynn and was this time sidelined for 3 months but after making a full recovery he was lucky enough to be asked by Wimbledon to fill in for an injured rider. Hoping to impress Ond made his debut at No.3 in place of Martin Williams, scoring 2 points away to Reading on 17th June (Team Photograph Below)

He was asked back to guest later that season and his scores steadily increased over the final five home meetings gaining valuable experience and fitness.

2003 was to be a dream come true when Ond was asked to sign for Wimbledon for the season and having agreed terms he treated himself to a much earnt pre-season holiday to Adelaide, South Australia where he was fortunate enough to try his hand at Touring Cars in a borrowed Holden V6!

The season started well, with some impressive performances which secured him a permanent place in the team. Unfortunately just when things were going really well and he had scored his first ever maximum he had the misfortune to break his collar bone in three places and his hand in a bad crash at Plough Lane that kept him out of the side for several months.  Making  a return to the side towards the end of 2003 before he was fully fit he damaged his shoulder again which put him out for the rest of the season. Had an operation on the injury just before Christmas 2003 and is hoping to be fit and ready for the 2004 season having spent the New Year training in Australia.

2004 & 2005 information to add...  Sort it out Ond!

*Latest news*  Andre returns to Sittingbourne for Conference Shield fixture at home on Sunday Aug 6.   Keep up to date on the latest results *Click Here!* Courtesy of www.sittingbournecrusaders.co.uk