True fans of Speedway will understand Woffinden's decision to leave Team GB

Just over two weeks after Team GB secured an emphatic silver medal place finish at the Speedway World Cup Final in Manchester, Captain Tai Woffinden has decided to step down from his national team duties. But was it the right decision? TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his views on the skipper’s announcement.

Two World Championships, six Grand Prix wins and numerous GP finals reached, Tai Woffinden really is at the peak of his game. But as news broke on Monday afternoon across social media of Woffinden’s intentions to step down from Team Great Britain, some disagreed, some agreed and most were just downright confused, but the question on everyone’s lips is: why?

It’s the worst kept secret in sport that British Speedway has been on a serious downward spiral for the best part of modern times, less Grand Prix riders, teams going bust, smaller attendances and poorer tracks are all strong contributing factors to the downfall of this once beloved sport, and with no positive turn around of things on the horizon, regardless of what the British Speedway Promoters Association [BSPA] say, it appears that Woffinden has finally had enough.

When the 26-year-old Scunthorpe-born rider lifted his first Speedway World Championship title back in 2013, British fans finally had something to cheer about and many thought Woffinden’s success would be the catalyst for greater things to come within British Speedway itself and in particular the Elite League.

However, unfortunately it wasn’t to be the case and, despite Woffinden’s best efforts, the BSPA appear to have ignored most recommendations and carried on running British Speedway into the ground.

Following his announcement, Woffinden has gone on to say that the main reason for his decision to step down is due to “Issues behind the scenes.” But what exactly does the current World number one mean by this? After racing to a fantastic 19 points at the World Cup Final and almost single-handedly earning Great Britain their second place finish.

Woffinden stated in his post-race interview that he wasn’t happy with the way British Speedway was heading and told of a five-year plan he handed to the BSPA three years ago, and no progress has yet been made on it.

Many will criticise Woffinden’s decision to step down from Team GB but true fans of the sport will understand his decision to do so. Tai Woffinden was thrust into the limelight at an early age following his triumphs, and he has given his all to try and bring British Speedway back to the glory days, but when advice falls on deft ears time and time again, there is only so much that one person can do.

This may considerably weaken Team Great Britain in the future but maybe its what’s needed for those in charge to realise the knife edge that British Speedway sits on.